WHAT THE CHURCHES ARE DOING.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12825, 8 June 1907, Page 12

WHAT THE CHURCHES ARE DOING.

THE GUIDANCE OF THE CROSS. The' special session of tho English Baptist Union's Spring Assembly, for the delivery of the President's address, has usually been held at the City Temple. This year it was held in Bloomsbuiy Central Church. Why.* The audietM its*lt (states the"Chris-van World'") probably supplies tho answer. To a crowded assembly, Principal W. J. Hendoison spoke on "Tlie Guidance and Inspiration of tho Cross." -t was evident that tlie choice and treatment of tho subject had boon largely conditioned by tho outburst of the New Theology storm. He reminded the audience that every plan _ and _ every kind of activity in connection with the piobhiins of tho timo may radiate from a single centre—that of Calvary. The doctrine he was concerned to enforce was that the Cross, instead of being a minor factor in Christianity, occupied a position that commanded tho wholo field. It was indisputable that in the Now Testament Gospel and Epistle were spellbound by the death of the Loid. 'No Cross, no Gospel.*' A Christianity without a remedy for sinfulness had no future, as it certainly had no pact. Why marvel that thero were many theories of tho Atonement P It was the variety and vnstnoss of the wealth of Divine grace that caused embarrassment. Tho New Testament itself noticed many aspects of the crucifixion, and the various representntions might appear to bo supplementary to ono another, if they refrain©;] fiom racking and torturing the metaphors that wore omploy.-d. Thoy learnt at the Cross the reality of sin, which the New Testament treated as a real and dreadful malady, requiring such a remedy as the sorrows and anguish of God's beloved Son. All ro forms projected must reckon with sin. To call it a "shadow," a "defeat," a "negation," and tho like would not help them one whit when they wore tempted, or when they would attack social or political wrong. Assertion was also made at the Cross of the supreme importance of righteousness to God and man. God cared mightily for character. Jesus bade them seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Tlio pleasure-loving tendencies of the times were perilous, in every garden of delight thore should be a cross.

NEWS AND NOTES FOR PULPIT AND PEW.