A CHURCH PROBLEM

Press, Volume L, Issue 14916, 14 March 1914, Page 15

A CHURCH PROBLEM

At thc Islington Clerical Mission, London, last month, at which there was a Rrcat gathering of Evangelical Anglicans, tho Bishop of Jarrow said that no ono could be unconscious of tho startling phenomenon in their religious life that tho senso of sin had weakened. 'Tho man iv tho street does not worry about his sins,'' as ail eminent scientist had observed. Still moro noticeable was tho blurring ot the finer distinctions between right and wrong. A general relaxation ot severity towards wrongdoing was observable, and to proach about sin was considered "out ot date," or even an impertinence The Question that presented itself was. How ivere they to regain the senso of sin as tho Bible, as Christ, would havo inon look at it? What were the causes of tho decay of tho sonse of sin. and what should bo tho form and method of the Church s sentation of the message regarding it.' As to the causes, tho Bishop ascribed them to tho growth of luxury, tho pursuit of power and wealth. There was also intellectual causes, observable in the impression in tho minds of tho loss-informed religious people, which tended to obliterato tho impression of a Personal God. Again, thero were relictions or theolo-srical causes, and hero tho Christian Church was not altogether freo from blame, sinco tea chins upon sin had frequently been presented in forms which either conflicted >vith tho common dictates of justico. or which used language which tho thought of to-day viewed as unintelligible. Ono theological cause to which ho directed special attention waa the loosening hold which had marked tho teaching of the Church for many years upon the doctrine of tho Atonement.