RELIGIOUS WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1922, Page 18

RELIGIOUS WORLD.

PRESENT-DAY OTJTXOOK. •REFRESHER"' COURSE OF LECTURES. (Contributed.) A "refresher - " course of lectures lor the Anglican clergy of the Diocese of Auckland is being arranged. It will foe held at St. John's College, commencing on th 14th of August and ending on the , 18th. The idea is "an excellent one, and it is hoped that every clergyman in the diocese will, if possible, be present. The lectures and discussions promisa to be of great assistance to the clergy in their work, and it is the obvious duty of every vestry to ohow practical sympathy by making it convenient for its vicar to attend the course and by paying his expenses. The parishes will reap the benefit. The daily routine of parish work does not leave the average clergyman with nnreh time for study: yet n<!ver was the need for study greater than it now is. Religious thought is at present moving very rapidly, and it is of the first importance that those who h&vo to teach others should keep abreast of the best scholarship in those departments of study which have a, direct bearing on their work. The subjects selected for the course have been well chosen. The three lectures to be iiven by the Bishop on '"The Life and Work of the Parish Priest ,, cannot fail to be helpful. The results and consequences of modern Biblical criticism are now being discussed by the average educated man, who is endeavouring to adjust his mind to the modern point of viesv. They naturally look to the • lergy for capable guidance from the old moorings to the new. This very interesting subject is to 'be dealt with in six lectures — three ou "Modern Scholarship and the Old Testament,"' by th Rev. R. G. Finch, late Vice-Princi-pal of Burgh Theological College, and three on "Modern Scholarship and the New Testament," by the Rev. A. W. Payne, M.A., vicar' of St. Michael's. Wellington. Dr. A. B. Fitt, M.A., Lecturer in Psychology at the Auckland Training College, is to speak on "The Psychological Basis of the Reported Instances of Demoniacal Possession Amongst the Maoris." This promises to be one of the most interesting lectures of the course. The Rev. W. G. Monckton. M.A-, will give an address on "The Social Teaching of Jesus." Other subjects to be discussed are.—"The Church and the Moral Laxity of To-day" and "Helps and Hindrances to the * Devotional and Intellectual Life of the Clergy.' ,

NEW LIGHT ON THE FOURTH GOSPEL.

For tho last fifty years a great controversy has gone on in regard to the date, authorship and character of the Fourth Gospel. The more advanced scholars have been for some time past asserting with confidence that the Gospel conld not have (been written by the Apostle John; that its contents cannot foe regarded as hietory in the ordinary sense; and that it could not have been written before the closing years of the first century. But the opinion has lately 'been expressed in more than one quarter that tihe last word has not yet ibeen spoken on the „ subject, and the "Times" reviewer recently recommended a little healthy cynicism about the "assured results" of radical New Testament criticism. The wisdom of suspending judgment is well illustrated by the new light which is thrown on th* Gospel by Dr. C. F. Burney in & book just published, entitled "The Aramaic Origin of the Fourth Gospel." Dr. Burney is himself one of the higher critics. He is Oriel Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at Oxford. Hβ makes out such a strong caee in his new book that the "Church Times" asserts that iTitics must now take into account the practical certainty that the Fourth Oospel was not written in Greek, but in Aramaic (the language spoken by Jesus and His Disciples). Tho consequences of this conclusion are very important. 'If the Gospel was written in Aramaic."' writes Dr. Burnev. "it must surely have been written in Palestine or Syria; it could hardly have been written at F-phesus." AN EYEAVTTNESS. As to the actual author, Dr. Burney holds that the Gospel was composed in Aramaic at Antioch between 75 and 80 A.D. by "the disciple whom Jesus loved." That disciple, however, was not John the Apostle, but John the Presbyter, who had been a youthful follower of our Lord, of priestly family, and whose home was in Jerusalem. "Whenever our Lord came up to Jerusalem and engaged in discussion with the Rabbinists, the young disciple would be there, making as ■much as he could of the great Teacher's

Temporary presence, keenly following the debates which his scholastic train-

ing so well enabled hitn to appreciite, drinking- in every word of the subtle arguments of which the Galilean! Apostles could make nothing." The •'Church Times" asserts that Dr. Burney has shown beyond reasonable doubt that the author of the original Aramaic Gospel was an eye-witness of the events and a hearer of the discussions which lie records, and he has vindicated the right of the Fourth Gospel to be regarded as a reliable historical authority

for the life and teaching of our Lord.

MOST POPULAR BOOK EST THE WORLD. Thp. Rev. J. W. Kemp, pastor of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle, disagrees entirely with those people who believe that the poularity of the Bible is on the wane. In the course of a recent address he declared most emphatically ■that the Bible is the ..ost popular book in the world. This declaration evoked an expression of approval from the con-

gregation wbich Air. Kemp said he was I glad to hear. Mr. Kemp referred to the prophecy made by Voltaire towards ibe close of the eighteenth century to the effect that within 100 rears "that which 12 men (the apostles) had established would be demolished by one man i himself). Voltaire also declared that before the nineteenth century closed the Bible would become an antiquated furiosity. Mr. Kemp remarked that hardly anyone now knows or cares about Voltaire or his writings, -whereas Christianity is still verr much alive and the Bible is more popular than ever. The ' Bible is being subjected to an enormous amount of criticism, but that shows how srreat is the interest that centres in it i Ue interest in it has never been equalled The more the Bible is studied the better. It is well able to speak for itself. Jesus k°™ d "P With the Book and tne Book is bound up with Him. Dr tear- V « lr ™ in ß ham » declared some trovp g ° at the neXt and fi n a l controversy about the Bible would Bather HIT ' h -l $ n ? oi P^ 8 * FecTt truth of Dr. Dale's prediction.

SHAKESPEAEE AND THE BIBLE. In an article on Shakespeare Day the "Times" says:—"ln these days no one can claim to speak as the voice of the larger England to all the ears that are attuned to the English speech; such a privilege cannot in the nature of things fall to a statesman, however much he may be revered, or indeed to any living person; and among the dead only Shakespeare has been by common consent recognised as worthy to exercise it. It is this extraordinary prerogative which justifies the current association of Shakespeare and the Bible as the two main spiritual influences on the Enslish mind, that makes the name of Shakespears every year more and more important. SHAKESPEARE'S RELIGION. Canon Blofeld, Principal of Saltley College, Birmingham, preaching in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-on-Avon, referred to Shakespeare's religion. He said:—"l have no doubt whatever that certain matters of religious import -were of stern and serious reality to him. And for Vm always good and goodness are best: and patience and forgiveness duties to be cultivated. He loved his characters as only men and women can he loved by one who believe 3 they were made by a God Who thought them worth while makhr- one by one. He lias the Christian honour for humanity. Hβ does not invent a special kind of world. His world is God'e world —the actual world— and God is actual, and ttrn relitionship between God and man real. There is something of the genuineness of the Bible in Shakespeare's plays, for the greatest heroes have their weak moments. There i 3 always to be seen in Shakespeare, and especially in his later plays, something still more specifically Christian, not only of what we may call a diffused Christian code, but of the definite Christian ethic that character only reaches perfection through suffering aiid discipline and selfgiving. If the words of Shakespeare's will, in which he commends hie soul to his Creator, hopine and bel ; eving in the merits of Jesus Christ his Saviour, are not convincing, I can only say that he seems often to draw to' the' gates of heaven the diverse and troubled and happy life of men.

CURRENT NEWS

A great revival meeting held in St. Andrew's Hall, Glasgow, was attended by 4000 people.

Dr. Lincoln Wirt, of the American Near East Relief Mission, has been conducting a campaign in Hobart on ■behalf of distressed Armenians,

Miss Dowsett, of Southend, England, who gave a Guest House to the Olaremont Central .Mission, Pentonville, has entered the mission field in India.

Mr. Gandhi once told a missionary ill India who asked advice how to make the Christian religion fit the people, ••Preach your religion without diluting it, and never tone it down."

The Rev. G. K. Moir, who has been vicar of Morrinsville for nearly four years, has accepted a curacy at Masterton, and will be succeeded 'by the Rev. J. A. Kempthorne, of Taumarunui.

After a connection with Knos Church, Dunedin, extending over a period of 51: years, for 44 of which he h≥6 served the church a.s an officer-bearer, clerk of ■Deacons' Court and clerk of session, Mr. P. G. Pryde hae resigned hie position as session clerk.

At the recent Presbyterian General Assembly in Sydney, a minister stated tfhat once in the out-back district of New South Wales he inquired of a. resident if there were any Christians there. The reply was, "Ko, I don't think 60; they're mostly Presbyterians."

Returns of membership in connection with the Wesleyan Methodiet Church ip. England are encouraging. The following are increases on the year's worKing:—Full church members" 3595; on trial for membership, 2922; Sunday School scholars, 5911; and Wesley Guild members, 11.957.

The Pocket Testament League is still of special interest to Mrs. Helen Cadbury Alexander, widow of Charles M. Alexander, who was well known in ICew Zealand as the Gospel singer. Mr. Alexander's methods were much similar to the community singing which U so popular at the present time in Auckland.

Dr. Straton. of New York, recently said: "If we grow a sturdy generation upon downy beds, fancy foods, lazy hours, shows, chewing gum, and dances, we will accomplish the miracle of the ages. If we are to abide as a nation, we must let the ideals of our fathers he wedded to the splendid spirit of modern progress."

"I think," stated Dr. J. Carlile I recently, "it would be difficult to find a period in modern times in which the general public attached less worth to the statements of the pulpit and the platform. The atmosphere of suspicion has penetrated the sanctuary as well as the political arena." Later on Dr. Carlile said: "God send us a revival of sincerity, so that honesty of speech shall be unquestioned."

The "Evangelical Messenger, in a review of the condition of the churches, says: (, After seven years of storm and stress we find ourselves, as a people, stranded in the hollow of superficiality and folly. Everywhere is a terrible reaction which leaves the masses morally dazed and spiritually deadened. We were promised, we recall, a 'new world' marked by devotion to nobter ideals; we find ourselves in a paradise of fools."

The president of the British Wesleyan Conference, Rev. J. A. Sharp, is conducting a special educational cai-jpaign on temperance during his year of office. His aim is to instruct and arouse his , own church and to enthuse other churches in the 6ame -way. He has been greath- gratified toy the general response. In the financial department he had hoped to raise £25,000 from his people in five years, but in nine months £15.000 has been given or promised. The late Mr. James Templeton, of Glasgow and Dunblane, retired carpet ■manufacturer, has bequeathed, amongst other legacies, £2000 to the Home Missions Fund, £2000 to the Foreign Mission Fund, £1000 to the Congregational Fund of St. Peter's Church, Elderslie Street, Glasgow, £2000 to the churches in the ea»t end of Glasgow to which he had ! Ibeen in the habit of subscribing, and to the Leighton Church, Dunblane: £2000 ■ to Quarrier's Orphan Homos. £2000 to ; the Glasgow United Evangelistic Asso- ! ciation, and £1000 to the Bible Society, i Glasgow. ' '