RELIGIOUS WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 208, 31 August 1918, Page 14

RELIGIOUS WORLD.

CHTJRCH NEWS AND NOTES.

Dr. Pilterson, missionary to the Canton villages in China, is visiting Christeliurcb. An Eli7.abrth.ln eilver gilt cup. dated LiS"). that was presented to the Church of Weetbury in 1671, hae just realised f:'.ii by auctior. in England

At the annual meeting of the Primitive Methodist Missions in England it nas (stated that -there was room on Knalish ships for rum to debauch the natives on the Gold Coast, but no room fnr the missionary.

Rev. H. W. Bolitho. C.E., in East Africa, has decided to return to the Army for combatant service. He was a second lieutenant, in the artillery in France before he became a chaplain. He will rejoin with the full rank of lieutenant.

A "Spunjeon Museum." consisting of Telies—pictures, letters, or any other articles of interest—associated with C. H. Spurgeon. fe being formed in connection with Spurgeon's Orphan Homes. An appeal is being made for gifts, or loans held in trust, of any souvenir of Spurgcon's boyhood, native town, early ministry, or any letters, portraits, or inscriptions of later years.

Sir William Harwell Stephcnson. D.L.. D.C.L.. who died recently in England, •was a -veil-know layman of Hip WesJevan church. Hie grandfather sold the proimil to John Wesley on which the famous Orphans Home was built at Newcastle. Sir William had been a local preacher for 58 years. He was three times Lord Mayor, and one ot the last five knighted by Queen Victoria.

Colonel Sir Courtauld Thomson, C.8., X.8.X., Chief Red Cross. Commissioner for Malta and the Xear East, recently reported regarding the relief work organised by the Syria and Palestine Relict Fund Committee. He was particularly impressed with the good work done amongst the children, a large number ot whom are orphans. Some very high-class Moslem ladies are giving their services in ihe labour of love.

President Woodro-w Wilson is a Presbyterian elder. Mr Lansing, the American Secretary of State, is a Presbyterian, and so is Mr Marshall, the Vice-President ot the United States. Generr.l Pershing in a Presbyterian, and Field-Marshal Haig is a member of the Church of 6cotland. while Field-Marshal OoTFre belongs to the Kcformed Church, which, is tie nearest thing in France to the Presbyterian Church.

A Council of the Churches has been formed at Napier, for the purpose of guarding the best interests of the Sabhath Day. The Rev. Canon Mayne presided at the first meeting and said the paired observance of the Sabbath Day "was the guarantee of the sustained supremacy of the British nation. On the Council arc five Anglicans, four Prcs•hyterinne, four Methodiste, four Confrregationalist6, four Baptists, and two members of the Salvation Army.

Aβ evidence of longevity in New Zealand it is interesting to Tecord. that in t.he Government census of religions there arc three Anglicans and one Roman Catholic (all males) over 100 years ot age. -f) others are fl!s years, and 142 are 00 years, hut when 80 years ie reached the figure jumps to 2711, and at 76 years Ihr total is 7078. The -women aro manifestly the longest lived, as there are six over 100 years, 32 over 95 years, 158 over !K) years, 698 over 85 yeare, and 4378 over 75 years of age.

According to the Government census on religions Auckland Province ie well to the fore with places of worship, having 1067, with seating accommodation for 131,395, as compared with Wellington ■with 024 buildings and accommodation for 83,245, Canterbury with 592 buildings and accommodation for 84,638, ana Otaijo with f>ol buildinge and. accommodation for 72,348 peraons. The largest day attendance was respectively. Auckland (W. 474, Wellington 38,953, Canterbury 1G.908, and Otago 37,358.

A correspondent writing to the '' British Weekly" from South Africa states that during the great German offensive a bugle was blown at noon at the Town Hall, Johannesburg. Shop doors were at once closed, all work ceased for five minutes for remembrance and prayer on behalf of those who are fighting our battles. A religious service is held for a quarter of an hour on the Town Hall steps, singing, intercessory prayer, followed by a brief address, other similar Kervicee are also held in various parts of the city. Large crowds attend these services.

Abbe Flynn, United States Army chaplain, speaking at Buffalo, New York recently, said: "Out there in the trenches we are neither Catholic nor ■lew: we are all fighting the same fight, fighting for the same God; we reapect the faith and, the belief of others. I work with a. Protestant chaplain and Jewish rabbi; we work together for our soldiers. 1 miiet t<?!) you the story of a Jewish rabbi I knew who served at the Marne. Out on the bloody field a Catholic soldier was dying. In the mud a Catholic priest lay beside him giving the last rites of the Church. In the hands of tho priest was the silver crucifix, and to it the dying man yearned to press his lips. A shell exploded. It killed the priest. Under the bursting of the shells the raU>i crawled forward; he picked up the crucifix; he put it into the hands of the dead priest, and he pressed the symbol of Christ with the dead priest's hands to the lips of the dying man. This rabbi sacrificed his life that this Catholic soldier might die in his mother's faith."

Some interesting facts were discovered at the "Old Folks at Home" gathering in connection with the Val Trigge Mission at the Thorndon Methodist Church (Wellington). Twelve of those preeent were over 70 years of age, seven over 75, and thre over 80, and the bouquet for the oldest person was awarded to Mrs. Highden, who was 524 Tears. Of those who had been longest, resident in Wellington it was discovered that there were twenty over 40 years, twelve over 45 years, ten over f>o yeare, nine over 55 years, seven over GO years, five over 65 years, three over 70 years, and two over 75 years, the prize going to Airs. Brandt as the oldest Wellingtonian present. Of those longest resident in Xew Zealand, seven had been 60 years, six 70 years, and Mrs. Jemieon, who secured the prize, 74 years. In the matter of descendants three bad 20 grandchildren, and Mrs. Lowe cjune first with 24 grandchildren. Then of those married longest nine had been married 4(t years, six 45 years, and Mrs. Lcwer, who headed the list, 55 years. The last bouquet was for the oldest Christian. Eight had been Christians for 40 years, seven for 45 years, and five for" fifty Tears, one for 55 yeare. and Mr. J. R •Tones secured the award, he bavin" been converted 60 years ago. °