CURRENT NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

CURRENT NOTES.

No fewer than eight new halls or churches have been built by Baptists in Glasgow within the last few years, and two other churches are in contemplation. Sir Harry Lauder is not only an entertainer, he is equally effective as a serious speaker, and is an earnest and loyal churchman. A "sport" has beeu defined an "a man who wins honestly, who loses cheerfully, who hopes increasingly, who bestows quietly, who receives naturally, who differs fairly, who agrees warmly, who lives liberally, whose playfellows are mankind." * Speaking a short time ago at a social function in connection with St. Andrew s Presbyterian Church, Nottingham, Mr. J. Buyers Black, a prominent Glasgow layman, remarked that it would be good if both the Church of Scotland and the Presbyterian Church of England got into line on closer terms of fellowship and intimacy. In repeating the Lord's Prayer the word "debts" is used in some churches and "trespasses" in most. "Debts" is taken from the authorised version of the sixth chapter of St. Matthew. "Trespasses" is perhaps the better* word of the two as being less likely to be misinterpreted than "debts." It is taken from the French word trepas, meaning "fault." It is a pity that there is not uniformity in the matter. •

During the months when, though it is summer with us, it is winter at Home, three services, instead of two, are being held, as an experiment, in one of the Presbyterian churches in Glasgow. At 11 o'clock there is a service mainly for young people. At 2 o'clock there is s, service of "high worship," with a fresh voice in the pulpit once a month by way of added attraction. In the evening the service is characterised by attractive singing with a more definitely Gospel address. The church is situated in a densely populated area, and a committee of 70 members assist in visiting the residents. The results are said to be gratifying.

It is nearly half a century since the Church of Scotland took the lead in English-speaking Christendom in reviving the office of 'deaconess. The Lambeth Conference of 1920 gave deaconesses a hestitating and rather vaguely defined status in the Church of England. The recent conference went' further and decided that the deaconess should be ordained and have her name included in rolls of ministers. She may read or lead service in church, preach at extra canonical services, and even celebrate the sacrament of baptism. It is a bold and commendable venture. The definition of her primary sphere drafted in 1920 is made the governing principle: "A ministry of succour, bodily and spiritual, especially- to -■■women."