DR. J. R. MOTT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18674, 24 April 1926, Page 15

DR. J. R. MOTT.

AN APPRECIATION. "CHRISTIAN STATESMANSHIP." (warms* fob "th* press.") [BY THE RT. RKV. CAMPBELTJ "WESTWATSON, BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH.J Tho visit of Dr. Mott brings back to my mind tho great Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, filled nearly thirty yeans ago with students iu conference, and a personality which dominated and convinced us by (ho very power of its spiritual devotion and intellectual grip. Dr. John Alott was thon 0110 of tho leading personalities iu tho student world, and for nearly thirty years since his hold on tho student mind has deopened and strengthened till to-dny thero is hardly a student centre in tho world which has not felt tho soul-stirring appeal of his presentation of tike claims j of Jesus Christ. In America. England. China, India, Japan, students have I been stirred to tho heart and called to decision by this apostolic man. Anyone who appreciates (a§ a student of modem China must) the possible influence for good or ill of the young and eager student mind on social and industrial conditions, can only thank God for the world witness of Dr. Mott. The students., as he has told us, are determined on change. It is the critical duty of tho Church to see that that change is nearer to the likeness Of Christ and not further from it. " Such an experience has given Dr. Mott a quite astonishing grip of the world-problems of Christianity. To listen to him is to realise in what a narrow circle one's mind has been revolving, arid to feel a great release from the restricted grooves into which we seem inevitably to settle as our own particular work absorbs us. And it is a joy to hear such baffling questions dealt with by 3 man who never despairs of their solution, never embarks on emotional appeals, never loses control of his subject or himself. His strong wellknit figure, massive head, and squareset jaw all toll of the devoted determination and inspired intellect of tho man. Little wonder that his influence extends far beyond the student world and bears strongly on those problems of international relationship which distract us bv their obstinate persistency. Had Dr. Mott applied himself to politics, he might have figured in any of the world's "Big Fours." But ho has deliberately chosen to devote his unique gifts of personality and mind to Christian statesmanship in its deepest sense. Time alone will show how much not onlv the Churches but the world owe to his inspiration and perseverance. God has given few such men to the Church in any age, and as we welcome him we thank God and take courage. THIS SICK WORLD. AND ESPECIALLY CHINA. (special to "this press. 1 ') WELLINGTON, April 33. Dr. John R. Mott, chairman of the Christian Federation, speaking at a meting at which Mr, Justice Adams presided last evening, said: "Europe to-day is very sick, and of South and I North Amerioa, the fringes of Africa and Asia, from the south of India to Turkey, the same must be said. But it is the sickness that ope associates with a new birth.- There are agonies and frail flickerings between life and death, and I see across the breadth of the world hot only new nations coming bn, but old nations—the oldest iti the world —being reborn/' t In illustrating the irritation and distrust which existed in the world to* day, the speaker said there was not a nation which trusted those within its borders, much less its neighbouring nation. The outbreak of feeling in China was but the match to the fuse £hat had been set for generations. The people were convinced that the outside Powers of the world bad been dominating the whole country—whether justly in part or in full was beside the point—and they were determined that they would be rulera within their own house. Tho result had been the outbreak of feeling against Great BriCain. "But it must not be considered that it is against Britain alone that this attack is directed," the speaker went on, "for I know countries that should be' in the very front line of attack. It is against the whole foreign universe. "The debts of the world hate increased enormously and the curfew is going to ring late for someone. Tli6 generations yet unborn will' be called to bear an impossible load, which ia being increased rather than diminished.' "YOll should be patient and tolerant towards China. Give her ten years and she will give a good account of herself, for by then the young men and women of the New China will have assumed sufficient control to dominate tho whole control of the new nation. China is having four colossal revolutions, and has to deal with them simultaneously, whereas Europe had her trouble spread over a Jong time. "No man can tell about tho military spirit of China; but it is not a war among the Chinese. The people are not at war against one another. Thero j are certain military governors whose motives are unfair, and who are rising to and falling from power like the rise and fall of the tide." Internal Distrust. Dr Mott deplored the fact) that there were more people under arms in the different countries than hitherto, contending that this huge military establishment was being built up and placed upon the shoulders of those who were least able to bear it. Bolshevism he described as a malignant disease, and qualified this by relating his experiences in Russia when Lenin was speaking to the people. "I tried to sound a warning," he said, "but little did I believe that 1 should live to see this fell disease get into the more highly organised social lands with those of the lower social races, yet this is what I have seeij," Youth; he said, was in an extremely precarious position to-day. Multitudes of young people—almost youth ei} masse—were without guiding principles, just like a ship without chart or compass.