JOTTINGS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13231, 26 September 1908, Page 12

JOTTINGS.

A dramatic scene in a Chicago cathedral has recently illustrated the persistence of patriotic feeling among thoso American immigrants who represent the oppressed nationalities of • Europe. Tho occasion was the consecration of a new airriliary bishop of Chicago, the; first Polish-American ever raised < to the episcopacy in the Romarr Catholic C-mreL At the close of the sen-ice, attended by practic_lly everyone of Polish"birth in the city, when . the clergy were forming into a procession to leave, the choir suddenly swung into

the strains of "God Save Poland." The effect was indescribable. Not only tho lay worshippers, but the priests and nuns, and notably the new bishop, took up the plaintive strains. Memories were aroused of fellow-countrymen in tho prisons of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, and soon most of those present wero weeping liko children. The Presbytery of Oamaru at its last meeting nominated the Rev. I. Jolly, of Palmcrston North, as Moderator of tho General Assembly for 1909. The Rev. Dr. Selfors, of Sydney, representative of the Methodist Church of Australasia, delivered a racy address' before the recent Wesleyan Conference at York. Although now denominated the Methodist Church and governed by its own conference, the Australasian Church was one in ooctrine. in discipline, and in service with the conference in Great Britain. Dr Sellors stated that while he was unable to give such a glowing description of progress as that just related by Bishop Chandler of tho Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States, yet, since 1815, the year of the arrival' of the Rev. Samuel Leigh, the first Wesleyan minister to Australia, wonderful progress had been made both in the Commonwealth of Australia, the _ mission field, and in the Dominion of New Zealand. Tho returns presented to the last General conference showed a total of 820 ministers, 3547 churches, and 644,183 attendants on public worship. ( Mr Albert Midlane, who is now 83 years of age, was present at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, recently, when, at a special service of London children belonging to tbe Ragged School Union, 3000 children sang his hymn, "There's a Friend for Little Children." Tho Archbishop of Canterbury has issued a statement outlining the allocation of the Pan-Anglican thank-offer-ing: Total offering, £345,000; earmarked by donors," £125,000; to replace Church property lost in Jamaica earthquake, £15.000; to be specifically allocated later, £205,000. The Primato states that all money contributed in the British Isles will be spent in or on behalf of work carried on outside that country's shores. The primary need is the better education and equipment of men and women on whom devolves tho main burden of work either in colonial or missionary fields. Northwest Canada has a paramount claim. South Africa and parts of Australasia aro justified in their appeal; Japan can use a theological collego of the first order; in China large sums might bo most advantageously spent; from India and Ceylon como special calls. "On these needs, educational and other, wo could usefully spend a much larger sum than the total at our disposal, and we desire that this should bo known before wo proceed to specific allocation. There may be many donors who havo withheld their gifts until they should known better the destination suggested for them. If such should now come forward it would greatly facilitate the - more detailed task which lies 'before us I a month or two hence. Our treasurer (Mr G. A. King, Perm road House, Croydon) has been instructed to keep tho fund open till the close of the year." By a recent English mail tho Rev. R.. Jackson, tho popular pastor of Chalmers Churoh, Timaru.. -wrote resigning his office there. In December last, owing to his state of health being pomowhat unsatisfactory, Mr Jackson intimated his intention of repugning, but pressure was brought to* bear upon him, both from Church members and other civilians, urging him to reconsider his decision to take this extreme step. Although Mr Jackson stilt wished to resign, ho a-greed to take ■nine months leave of absence on condition that if his health did not improve within a reasonable timo ho' would not resume work. In March last ho left for America and th© Kingdom in search of health and much-needed rest. Unfavourable -news regarding his health camo to hand from time to timo, and finally Mr Jackson's resignation arrived. During Mr Jacksoci'3 absence tlio Rev. E. G. Guthrie M.A , 8.D.. a native of Dunedin, filled -tho pulpit of the church with much acceptance, the accommodation proving inadequate for the demands, made upon it. Last Sunday evening, when Mr o'uthrio preached his farewell sermo.i, .every part of tho church was crowded, and many had to be turned away. Mr Guthrie, by request, repeated a powerful sermon delivered by him some time ago, the subject being Peter's denial of Christy(John xviii., 26 and 27). Mr Guthrie takes his final -farewell to-mor-row evening.

As an adjunct to the success of foreign missions, the value of tho gramophone has not yet been generally recognised. But Wesleyan missionaries in Ceylon have employed it to great purpose. They havo found that, thanks to the influence of the "talking machine." as it is called, they have been ablo to penetrate districts hitherto closed against. them. So great, indeed, has been the influence of the gramaDhone that Hindu priests soon found it necessary to imitate the English missionaries, and procure "talking machines" for themselves. The situation suggests that the efforts of missionary undertakings may in future not depend so largely upon the actual number of men in the field. Given native adherents who are faithful to the'cause, and the addresses of missionaries can be reproduced broadcast throughout the country. In commemoration of the_ onehundredth anniversary of the birth of the late Cardinal Manning, a great demonstration, organised by the League of the Cross, was held in Hydo Park, London, on Sunday afternoon, July 19th, over 10,000 peoplo taking part. What was most remarkable about the demonstration was its "representative character. From far and near marched men of all nationalities, classes, creeds, and political views, to tako part in it, with the banners of no fewer than 60 sections of trade organisations fluttering above their heads. Accompanied by bands, four processions proceeded to tho Thames Embankment, whence shortly after 3 o'clock the united processions started for Hyde Park, headed by a banner bearine the words "Cardinal .Manning, tho Workers' Champion. Ho Wrought tho People - Lasting Good."

The Rev. J. .P. Lainont, the Irish representative to tho British Methodist Conference. dwelt upon tho steadily decreasing population of Ireland. During his own lifetime four and a half millions had left the country for'other lands. But distant parts hud benefitted by their own losses. About if tho ministers «f the Church in. Canada wore of Irish birth or extraction. Other distant conferences had also benefitteJ by Ireland's loss. Anu yet, notwithstanding theso losses, the membership of tho Church during the past decade had increased 10 per cent., and during tho previous decade tho increase was 13 per cent.

The foundation-stone of a new Methodist Church has just been laid at Maori Hill, in tho Roslyh circuit, Dunedin. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. T. Wallis (minister of the circuit), D. J. Murray, and W. McDonald (minister of tho local Presbyterian Church). The new church will 6eat 140 persons, and will occupy a most excellent position in the district. The health of Principal Marcus Dods (Edinburgh) is co nneatisfactorv that he has been compelled for a second time to tender his.resignation of his principalship to the Now College Committee. It will bo remembered thai Dr. Dods was appointed to his present post; with {Treat enthusiasm, by tho ; first General Assembly of tho United j Free Church, which met aft«r tho death

'of Principal Rainy. It it pathetic to think that from that day to this, | though Dr. Dods has enjoyed the hon- j our of th© namo, ho has never, in fact, been able to meet either tho professorial senate or tho students in the performance of the active duties of his office. As Dr. Dods is ono of tho bestknown and best-loved of Scottish professors, it is certain that both the fact and the causo of his enforced resignation will be the subject of keen regret wherever Scottish theological affairs are of interest. . The report of the committee appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to enquire into tho supply and tr-ining of the clergy points out that, whereas in 1886 the deacons ordained numbered 814, last year only 587 candidates presented themselves for ordination to tho diaconate. This decrease becomes still more grave when it is remembered that tho increase of population calls for ~100 moroVlergy every year, in addition to tho large number required to meet tho necessity created by tho expansion of tho Church's work in the colonies and foreign lands. Causes for the decreaeo are summarised under three heads — theological, social, and financial. Theological unrest and party differences, the modern openings for now careers, and tho financial problem are, as most Churchmen will agree, all deterrent factors. The financial problem, is rightly regarded as being the chief cause. In -view of tho heavy outlay for training, the small possibility of self-support till tho candidate reaches the age of twenty-three, and the insecurity of the prospects afterwards, many parents advise their sons not to enter tho ministry. But 'many more are debarredsolely hy reason of their inability to afford to pay the necessary training fees. A large number of Churchmen have long insisted that tho only efficient remedy for tho financial disability would "bo the formation of a body having for its object the provision of means not only for the training of candidates, but ako for tho maintenance and superannuation of ministers. This is precisely what the committee recommends. Presumably tho funds would havo to be raised by voluntary subscription.' The formation of diocesan committees would be necessary to ensure the efficient distribution of funds thus raised. To these committees might bo entrusted the task of examining the candidates as to their suitability and needs. Another recommendation in tho report is that a Central Candidates' Council should bo created to suocrviso all matters connected with the supply, recruiting, and training ot the candidates.