RELIGIOUS WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 290, 4 December 1920, Page 18

RELIGIOUS WORLD.

CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES,

Dr. lloivkvn Rees, tho Welsh missionary, has "declined the oflVr of the chair of Chinese in London University.

Dr. Wakefield, Bishop of Birmingham, speaking ;il Bishopgatc Chapel, remarked: "The worst spirit a man can get is, "I have fought for my country, and now my country must keep me.'"

President Wilson litis by proclamation set apart Tuesday) December 21, throughout tlio United States for the fitting observance of the Mayflower tercentenary. The French and Belgians are sending official representatives on that occasion.

The first work ever done by the V.M.C.A. with the Chinese army was in Siberia, states Mr. Richard H. Kitter, •if the American branch. The Chinese soldiers are stated to be full of enthusiasm for the secretaries of the V.M.C.A., who are able to write letters for them.

"The preacher is tho largest single asset of the Church," states E. E. Elliott vi his book, "How to Advertise a Church.'' He adds that without publicity any preacher's ability is limited, with proper publicity a second-rate preacher becoM— first-class, and an alblc preacher is p-.ir excellence.

Dr. John Clifford, speaking regarding church union, laid it down: "There must be room in any sort of union for distinctive methods of worship and service, in order to provide expression for different types of religious character and varieties of Christian experience. L T nity nf spirit we can get; unity of form never.''

Tho annual report of the Auckland blanch of tho V.M.C.A. contained some interesting news. One item was that tin- present fine building is now entirely tree of debt, and that it has been derided to add a sixth storey and a passenger lift. The swimming pool has been opened after being closed for years. It holds 25.000 gallons, and arrangements have been made to have it supplied with *.alt water.

Dr. Furse, who for 17 years was Bishop of Pretoria, upon taking charge of the diocese of St. Albans, told the people: "1 couldn't help it. I was simply 1 brown at you by a Baptist Prime Minister, and as far as I am concerned I've got to sit cm your chests for the rest ..f my natural, and it may be unpleasant for all concerned." He also intimated that a bishop could not be got rid of unless be got drunk or became bankrupt. "I hope," he added, "you will not get rid of mc for the first cause, but you may for the second, unless you pay mc better."

Speaking on "The Value of Heresy" at Brixton Independent Church, the Rev. 11. J. Snell said -with all their lack nf sweetness and reasonableness the Puritans were the greatest men in English history. "They were lovers of freedom and won freedom for us," he added.

"When men said about a king who was proud and self-willed and weak that he hail the Divine right, they said 'No! This people of England is a free people. "We arc under obligation primarily to <iod." The contribution of the Puritans was at the root of the civic liberties of England and of those of the American Republic."

A fine example of Christian unity and co-operation is. reported in the LeightonRuzzard "Observer" for August 3, 1920, viz., the ceremony of unveiling and dedicating a memorial tablet in St. John's Church, Eversholt, to the men who fell in tlie late war. The congregation included nil denominations. The Wesleyans closed their place of worship and attended the service. The Wesleyan circuit minister, the Rev. J. Rogers, took part in tho service with tho rector, and ihe choirs of both churches combined. The lesson was read by Mr. A. W. M. Ford, superintendent of the Wesleyan Sunday school. The Duke of Bedford unveiled the tablet. Parents and near relations of the fallen were accommodated with scats near the front.

Canon Foster, who arrived by the Corinthic recently to establish a Bush Brotherhood, has been visiting Gisborne and Opotiki. The idea is to form a community of young men in close conjunction with Bargh College, England, to be free to itinerate through the settlements and the backblocks generally. The Rev. J. H. Solines and his wife, the latter ht-iiig a sister of Canon Foster, are assisting the movement, their residence being at Opotiki. Xext year five or six other men arc expected out from Home. A feature of the work is that the young men receive no stipend, merely being supplied with the cost of living. Canon Foster spent thirteen years in South Africa, and for the past six has been principal of Bargh College. Mr. Solines was formerly English chaplain at Frieburg, Baden, South Germany.

The District Synod of the Methodist Church at its recent sitting passed a resolution stating it was of opinion that the rule by which members are expected to attend tho Lord's supper as frequently as possible should be more Constantly and affectionately brought (before! it-e attention of our people, both from the pulpit and in pastoTal visitation. It also recommended conference to direct that in every church a communion roll shall be kept by some person, appointed for that purpose by the leaders' meeting. Every member who shall have -been absent from the sacrament of the Lord's supper for six months or more shall be seen privately, and faithfully advised and counselled as to this duty and privilege. A report of such interview to be presented in the following leaders' meeting.

The centenary of Tasmanian Methodism was celebrated recently. Mr. Benjamin Nokcs made the first attempt to establish the Wesleyan Church at Hobart. In October, 1820, he went round the town inviting people to attend prayer meetings, which were held in a private house. This practice was in vogue in Auckland many years ago, cottage prayer meetings being held in the middle of the week. Mr. Nokes had a rather hard time in Hobart, the worshippers in private houses being assaulted by a mob with sticks and stones. Melville Street Church was not opened in Hobart until October, 1840, the then Governor, Sir John Franklin, being present. Those were free and easy days evidently, for when the Rev. David Curgill, after a long sermon, said, when announcing the final hymn, "We will sing only the first verse, and the last," Mr. Chapman, leader of the choir, responded in a stern voice, "No we won't. You have charge ofe the pulpit, but I have charge of the choir." The hymn was accordingly sung right through.