RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 75, 21 December 1907, Page 10

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

THE NATIVITY'. Thou cam'st from Heaven to Earth, that we Might go from Earth to Heaven with Tlico: And though Thou found'st no welcome here, Thou did'st provido'us mansions thcro. A stable was Thy, Court, and when Men turn'd to beasts, beasts would be men: They wore Thy courtiers; others none; And their poor mangor was Thy Throno." No swaddling silks Thy limbs did fold, Though Thou could'st turn Thy rags to gold. No rockers waited on Thy birth, A T o cradles stirr'd, nor songs of mirth; But Her chaste lap and sacred breast, Which lodged Theo first, did give Thee rest. —Henry Yaughan.. THE DATE OP CHRIST'S BIRTH. ' A DISCREPANCY EXPLAINED. ' Dr. Rcndel Harris, President of tho National Frco Church Council, gave an address at Brighton last.month on "The Present State of the Controversy over tho Placo and Time of tho Birth of Christ." According to St. Luke's Gospel, at the time of tho birth, Joseph and Mary had moved from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the purpose of a ordered by Augustus (3a:sar, .when Quirinius was Governor of Syria. According to Joscphus, Quirinius came to _ Syria ■in A.D. 6 for the purpose of making such, a census. As tho birth of Christ was in B.C.' 6 or thereabouts, there was a discrepancy unless it could be shown that there was-an earlier census than that referred to in Joscphus, and that Quirinius ,was twice Governor of Syria and made two censuses. Roman history was absolutely silent as to a periodic census. Yet recent discoveries in Egypt had disclosed many census papers, and A comparison proved that a census was taken in tno district at intervals of fourteen years. If there was a census, then, in A.D. 6, according to Josephus, there would, counting backward, be one in B.C. B—tho date of the birth:of Christ. Documentary evidence existed of a census in A.D. 20; there was none for A.D. 34; evidence again for .'A.D. 48, and for tho. years A.D. 90, 104, 118 and other fourteen-year intervals. . As to the great difficulty of taking people, to their own towns for registration, which seemetl so awkward and unnecessary, Dr. Harris quoted''a document anticipating the census of. 104 under Trajaji, in which tho Prefect of Egypt required people residing away 'from their dis : tricts to return at once..

PANS-ANGLICAN CONGRESS. ARRANGING FOR THE GREAT GATHERING NEXT YEAR. . Tha-Church Congress Standing Committee has called a special meeting, to be held in London shortly, with regard to next year's Church Congress nnd tlio great Pali-Angli-can assembly, which is to, be opened on Juno 15 next, and the preliminaries' for ■which were commenced very nearly five years ago, white for the past two years preparations have been in active progress. The committee's object is to decido whether tlio two assemblies shall bo as one, or whether the Church 1 Congress shall proceed as usual. The' latter's 'meetings', have now been held without interruption for> 4-7 years, and considerable interest is;-therefore, taken in the '• suggdstion- ■ to'-incorporate it with tlio larger gathering, which, besides'being public, will m'cliido clerical,, lay; and women representatives from ei'ery. diocese. 6f the world, and, it"is ! on general .suggestions from those delegates- that' tho "subjects '.firi discussion have been based. There will bo six sections of tho PanAnglican . Congress sitting simultaneously, and the subjects which they will : consider during the- sjx days they are in conference are: —"The Churcu and Human Society," "Tlio Church and Human Thought," "Tho Church's Ministry," '"The Church and Missions in '■ non-Christian ■ Lands',"- ' ' "The Church's" Mission in" Christendom," '"and.' "Tho Anglican Communion." In addition to theso subjects, the whole Congress on the last day, Wednesday, Juno 24, will consider "Tho Church's Call,", treated votionally, and papers on controversial subjects dealing with possible solutions will be presented. . Each evening during the Congress popular mass, meetings will be arranged in the .Albert Hall, also men's and children's ilicetings.' , THE MODERNIST ENCYCLICAL, , AUTHORS EXCOMMUNICATED.' ; • • •"/ Tho six authors of tho recently issued book "Tlio Programmo of tho Modernists —A reply to tho Encyclical of Pius X 'Pascendi dominici gregis' " havo . been cxcominunicated. The Romo correspondent of the English "Tablet" writes; —It was, of couirse,'inevitable that tho book should bo at once condemned, and on October 29 • tho Cardinal Vicar issued a Decrco in which lie proscribod' it by his "Ordinary Authority," for-bidding-all subject to his jurisdiction to sell, or read, or keop tho volumo under pain of mortal, sin. Tho Dccreo then continues: "Siiico. tho authors and writers of this 'book, iii. their alleged reply, warmly defend tho system which is described in tho Encyclical. 'Pascondi' dominici gregis' as 'tho synthesis -of . all' heresies,' our Most Holy Lord. Pope Pius X .by this Decrco inflicts tlio penalty of Excommunication,, absolution from which bo reserves to himself, on • tlio authors and writcrs'-of this book, and-on all others who havo in any way contributed to tho compilation of it. Our Most Holy Lord adds that this Dccreo has tho same forco as if it wore put into tho hands of each of the said authors and writers, who, if they bo priests incur Irregularity should tliej' oxerciso any ministerial function. It is highly desirable,. says. His Holiiiess, that all Bishops, each in- his' own dioccse, should issuo this 'proscription aud .promulgate tho consurc." And this has been already dono in many! dioceses in Italy, and will doubtless bo put into execution throughout tho entire Peninsula before the coming week is over. / , ■

PRESBYTER!ANISM AND THE MASSES. Not many years ago it might havo been difficult for tho Established Church of Scotland to rebut the chargo of indifference to tho social interests of tho masses. To-day (says a religious weekly) it may bo said almost to lead tho van, as a denomination, in social work. Not.only has it voted largo sums for its propagation, it has established, a number of homes throughout tho country wlioro both men and women may receive what is most suited to' their needs eitliorin tho way of shelter or employment, 'or both. Not content with this, however, it has expressed, through tho .lips'" of the Glasgow Presbytery, ono._of : tho wisest proposals, yet made in. connection with social propaganda— namely, to set up a social institutes where men and women can bo trained to tako up this department of Church activity; Tho Presbytery recognises tho necessity for conducting social work on sound well-informed business lines, and that it must not be. left to tlio sometimo irresponsible promptings of charity, however enthusiastic. . Other and moro liberal denominations may well tako tho lead so excellently given by tho Church of Scotland. PERSONALThoro was some alarm in Romo this week (writos the English "Tablet's" correspondent under date November 3) over a reported serious illness of the Holy Father. The truth is that. His Holiness was not.very well for two or three days, owing to tho damp, heavy, and oppressive weather,, but lie has now resumed his audiences as usual. He follows with tho utmost vigilance all tho phases of the Modernist agitation, and has been groatl.v consoled, especially during the last week, by tho many proofs given him -that the bishops overywheto are using tlio .iitmoso vigilanco and energy in repressing error. Major Hoaro, young people's • secretary. at Sydney, lias been appointed to superintend similar work in tlio North Island of. New Zealand, with headquarters in this city. . Ho has been in Sydney nearly seven" years. Tho Rev. C. J. Ridgoway, who has just been appointed-Bishop of Chichester, is an old friend of the Anglican Bishop of Auckland /JJ>r. ■ Neligaa)" who served under' liiin

as curate at Christclnirch, Lancaster Gate, London. \ Mr. Ridgeway, though ,a. strong churchman, is not in any senso a party mail, Ho is especially good in teaching young people, and Dr. Noligan, who is himself a master -in tlie art of interesting children; learnt a great deal from Mr. R-idgeway's methods in those early days of his ministry. Dr. Neligan,_ who left for England in the Tongariro 011 Thursday, hopes to arrive in time to ho, present at the consecration of the new Bishop of Chichester. General Booth was to leave New York on November 5), aud sail for Bremen direct, not even staying a night in- England. In spite of-the long and hazardous' 1 campaign ho had conducted in the States, lie was to proceed at onco with a further ten days 'campaign in the German Empire, finishing up with a series of meetings in Berlin, and returning homo by the end of November. Archdeacon Devoy and Father Hickson are returning to Wellington by tho Corinthic, which lift London bn November 16. Tho Rev. W. E. Bromilow, who lias been labouring for 28 years with great earnestness and self-denial on tho Fiji and..Now Guinea mission fields has returned to- Melbourne, accompanied by Mrs. and Miss Bromilow, and two natives of Dobn Island, Now Guinea. He has established within the last two years a training institution and boarding, school on an island named Übuia, in the D'Entrccasteaux Group. When he left, the college had between 150 and 200 pupils. Mr. Bromilow has a high,opinion of the mental capacity of tho PaPuan-race. ------ The Rev. W. Gray Dixon and Mrs. Gray Dixon, of St. David's Presbyterian Church, Auckland,, have returned from their visit to the Old Country. / • The Rev. Or. Erwin, of the Bealey Avenue Presbyterian Church, Christchurch, will go 'home on furlough in March, accompanied by ,Mrs. Erwin. The Rev. G. W. Smailes, who is to assist tho Rev. H. Reeve,; the recently appointed vicar of St. Sepulchre's,- Auckland, has had an unusually interesting career. He was at ono time a member of the New South Wales Legislature, and afterwards entered the ministry of the Primitive Methodist Church, and was, until recently, in charge of a church connected with that religious body in Auckland. Early this yea he was eceived into' the Anglican Church and ordained by Bishop Neligan. Ho is an eloquent preacher, and an excellent platform speaker. ■ Mr. Smailes recently gave a most interesting account of his political career in New South Wales. Ho had dreamed, lie said, that social evil, economic wrongs, and industrial weakness could all be swept away by political means. In the strength of that faith ho had thrown himself into politics, and won for himself a seat in the Parliament of his State, and set to work to realise his ideals. He had not time to tell of the ' great reforms that wore accomplished in a few years—they were reforms that people were clamouring for—and after they were effected lie turned to find a corresponding social advance. Here he found disappointment, which led him -. to sec the weakness of materialistic socialism, which put environment first and character second.He was a Socialist, and considered Christianity the truest and purest Socialism. Materialistic Socialism put _ environment first, character second; Christianity put character .first,. environment second. _ Socialism said, "What is thine .'is mine." Christianity said, "What is- . mine is .thino. He did nob' say that intelligent Socialism- ignored character, or that intelligent Christinity disregarded environment, but the distinction 'was that Socialism emphasised the condition, Christianity emphasised the man.

JOTTINGS. ' The Sunday Schools Committee of the Presbyterian Church has issued a diploma to all teachers who have done service, for 25 years or more in tho Sunday school. .The Church Extension Committee of the Presbyterian General Assembly, of which j\lr. J.,Gk -AV. r Aitkon, M.P.., ,i_S;.conyencr, has .held a meetingiat which: a:vigorouslforward ■policy ~?yas,,r,esolved ; upon., I&f j s ..The theological students connected with tho . Presbyterian Church "have, for some years past, during recess between sessions, sent out delegates to advocate ill the .churches tho "cause of foreign This year they havo resolved to devote their attention to the subject of. Church oxtension,. and tVo of them —- Mr. D. J. A. Shaw, M.A., and Mr. H. M'Lean, 8.A., are already 111 tho field for this purpose. They are both in tho South Island at present, and intend to work up the Dominion,'one on the West Coast and the other on the East Coast, till they meet at Auckland. : ; . . .• Dr. Clifford is himself ardently advocating' as, well he may, considering tho unselfish riaturo of the scheme —tho proposal of Westbourne Park Church to commemorate the jubilee of his ministry in Paddington by raising £5000 for renovating-the church, ' buyill" a new organ, paying off. the debt on "Clifford's Inn" and liquidating the debt incurred in the church's effort for the young people of tho .district. ' Already £1500 has been secured in promises" and gifts, and nearly twelve months remains for the church to raise the rest. Dr .Clifford's jubilee falls 011 October 16, 1908. In appealiug for gifts, Dr. Clifford .mentions that Wcstbourno Park Church owes its origin to a laundress who pawned her cloak to 1 obtain the form? for the lirsc meeting-room in South Wharf Road. One of the pleasing features year's Synods (says tho. " Methodist Outlook ") ,is the recommendation of five Maori candidates for training for the ministry at Three-Kings' Institution. Auckland recommends two— Weriti Anara Tohu, ■ and Paoa llakena, tho latter, wo believe is the son of the Rev. Piripi Rakena of Hokianga; Wanganui, one, Tupito Maruera, concerning whom, the interesting fact was stated at 'his nomination that before long lie will bo tho chief of tho threo most important tribes on. the West Coast; Canterbury 0110, HOllO Wctcre, a good name, for it is the Jlaori for John Wesley. And Otago, 0110, Jacob Winiata. So God raises up fresh workmen to carry on His.work. Addressing' a gathering of ministers at) the Darlington Convention (England) . recently, tho Rev. Henry Yool (president of tho Primitive Methodist- Church) deplored tho decadenco of the . Suuday evening prayer meeting, which had been 0110 of tho powerful factors in Methodist aggression. The young people, 110 said, trooped out at tho closo of tho first servico, 'tho senior officials were also disinclined to remain, 'and tho Sunday School teacher failed .to realise his opportunity for reaping tho fruits of his toil. Ho strongly urged; tho resuscitation of tho after-servico as an evangelical force and opportunity. Dr. W. J. Dawson has been a conspicur ous figure at tho Triennial Council of the American Congregational Churches. Ho spoko 011 Evangelism—tho 'topic-upon, which, threo years ago at. Des Moines, lie thrilled tlio last Council. He .declared that as a result of tho evangelistic movement started at Des Moines tho Cqugregational ministers of America are now moro evangelistic in spirit, but he lamented that the churches havo not responded to tho evangelistic note. Ho ob.servod that an arrest of/ Christianity in America now would, if not overcome, mako America a pagan nation 111 twenty years. "Much of our Christianity," ho said, "is only a dry and sterilo intellectualism, which so little affects tho springs of conduct that tho man orthodox in his creed may ho pagan in his ethics. Wo have," ho said, "forgotten tho Carpenter in our class churches. Forgetting tho Carpenter, wo havo forgotten tho working-man and tho working-man has. forgotten us." , . Twolvo English missionary socjoties united last x month to celebrato tho Robert Morrison centenary and tho founding of Protestant missions in. China. The Albert Hall was packcd, arid could havo been filled twico over, so great was tho demand for tickets, and tho spirit of unity arid missionary fervour mado tho great gathering a memorable one. , The convenor of the Residential ■ College Committee (tho Rev. A. Cameron) acknowledges in tho "Outlook" tho receipt of a promised donation for the college funds of £50 from "P. 5.8." Dunedin. This genorous contribution is to bo allocated as follows: —For building fund, £20; for endowment fund, £29 10s. This makes tho total for the endowment fund to date £S9G 10s. ' Mr. Cameron hopes to see this raised by tho Christmas and 'New Year gifts to well over £1000 before tho close of the roar-. I