CHURCH AND YOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 253, 26 October 1933, Page 6

CHURCH AND YOUTH.

_______ / I am exceedingly cheered by the letter of your correspondent "Anglican Bible CHass Leader." It is at least a glimmer of light and one takes hope from the fact that at least in one parish the boys are being reaffirmed in this faith in the verbal inspiration of the Bible. I am amazed that our clergy can declare at their ordination that they will "be ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive awayall erroneous and strange doer trines contrary to God's Word," and then to stand forth and preach the opposite. One would be loathe to dub them hypocrites, but an unfortunate inference is naturally drawn. 1 feel, from a slight personal experience, that if we teachers fearlessly preach the Word of God and rely on the Holy Spirit to manifest itself that our classes will be far from_ declining. For the "Spirit of Truth will guide yon into all truth."—John xvi., 13. Synod has decided that some of the Old Testament consists of fables and allegories. Jonah is_ a favourite vicitim of criticism, so, presuming that he is a myth, we then must conclude that Christ, very God and very Man, must have been fallible, and His Divinity is at an end, as He reiterates His faith in jenah. Thus the effects of destructive criticism are cumulative, until we must finish as either atheists or agnostics. Youth will not be attracted by a book with unstable foundations, and it therefore behoves us to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. —Jude i., 4. We must reaffirm once more our implicit faith in the Word of God, "as Scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Tim. iv., 16. And also in His Son Jesus Christ, Who is "the same yesterday and to-day and for ever." —Heb., xiii., 8. I pray a few more of those responsible will tread in the paths of this "Anglican Bible Class Leader. (ij.8.8.