RELIGION IN AMERICA.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 312, 26 September 1908, Page 17

RELIGION IN AMERICA.

NEW YORK PREACHER'S VIEW. Among the notable American preachers in London for tho summer vacation is Dr.. S. Parkcs Cadma'n, of New York, Who is occupy-

nig Mr. Silvester Home's pulpit. Dr. Cadman is pastor of tho largest and most influential Congregational Church in Now \ork, although ho received his theological training as a Wosleyan at Richmond College. Ho is a strong, robust, virile, dnd extremely energetic man, with a wide knowledije of politics, religion, and humanity. His addresses at Whitefiekl's have already given him a great reputation. In an interview with a "Daily News" representative lie said, in reply to a question as to the revival of religion in America: "I don t know who is responsible for the phrase, 'Tho rebirth of religion 'in. tho United States,' but tho statement is not true. I wish it was. Religion as ;a driving force in human conduct is not showing that vitality which wo all hope to sho, hut thero has been in rccent years a remarkablo cliango in tho outlook of tho scientific mind in relation to religion. Tho change is in, respect to what we would call tlio imponderable, or what you would call the spiritual sido of religion. It is tlio recognition of tho supramaterial, the lifo behind phenomena, the reality of spirit as distinct from matter. Wo owo tho change largely ito the work of such men as Lyman Abbot, Professor James, Sir Oliver Lodge, and others on both sides of the Atlantic. But as to religion dominating and controlling individual and public life; I am afraid that is too rosy a view to bo entertained at present." 1 Has the New : Theology movement affccted you? "Not at all. Tho I New Theology movement is not taken seriously in America. What has affected us is the growing demand for a restatement of Christian truths in the light of modern research and scientific discovery. While I don't lay much emphasis on the heed of a reconstructed theology, I am sure that no system of theology will be acceptable to tho American people that does not: deal largely with tho person of Christ as prophet and priest. The trend of tho New Theology seems to bo in : the direction of Unitarianism. which is simply a revival of the Boston' School. But the Boston School has novcr, had more than a local application, and a theology that can bo enclosed within a small circle is not the theology-for humanTho rehabilitation of religion is not coming from that side." In response, to a suggestion-of the reunion of tho Churches, Dr. Cadm'an said 1 ... "There is a stronger spirit of fraternity between tlio Churches oil our side of tho water than there is in your country; consequently tho (question of reunion, or at least co-operation, is moro advanced. For instance, I havo preached in the Episcopal Church at Trinity, Brooklyn, and tlio rector has preached in my church. Tho distinctions that prevail in England seem absurd to an American. Wo aro not cursed with a State Church;.in fact, a' State Church in tho. United States is unthinkable. I am amazed when I read sonio of your journalistic utterances on tho claims of .an Established Church. 'Tlio Spectator' for instance, last week said the question of a State Church in America was only held in - abeyance,- a statement that makes an American wonder whether you havo any knowledge whatever of Aiperican institutions. Government by hiorachs is inconsistent with democracy. The Roman Catholics realise this. Tell your, readers that, the, Methodist Church in America has saved tlio country from becoming a Roman Catholic power. No, tho question-of reunion is not in tho air. but the spirit of ecclesiastical brotherhood is more pronounced than you can understand in England."