RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1186, 22 July 1911, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

THE CHURCH AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. ATTITUDE 01-' LAliOri; PAKTY. Some remarkable speeches were delivered at the annual meeting i-'f (ho Church Reform League, held at (ho Church House, West minster, on May 'ill, notably the presidential address ei Hie Right.'llaii. Alfred Emmott'. M.P., Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, who had just been eleek-.l president of the league for the current year, and the' address of Ihe l!i=h;>]) of Eirmingham (Dr. (.lore). Mr. limmolt's extensive Parliamentary experience adds to his words exceptional weight. He gave an unwonled insight into the 'attitude of the House of Commons towards the Church, and it was not a depressing view. His reference to (he attitude of (he Labour Party in particular was full of hope for the cause of religion. And it is to be remarked that both he and Bishop Gore attributed the cause of the Church's lack of progress in this respect fo the apathy of Churchmen. If Churchmen really •cared, these things would be accomplished. If (hey do not care enough to work out the freedom of the Church themselves;, no Government , will ever go to the trouble of doing it. for them. Such was the main theme of both speakers.

In the course of his speech Mr. Emmolt said:—"] think as regards what I. may call—l will not say the less important, but the less contentious- matters in Church reform—the fear of the House of. Commons hulks rather too largely in people's minds. The House of Commons is of course a secular br.dy, appointed for secular purposes. In fact, in the House of Commons I just sec the same kind of fear of speaking earnestly about religious matters that one found among one's contemporaries when one was a boy. Only great speakers in moments of inspiration —men like Lord Hugh Cecil—(applause) —at his best—dare speak earnestly about religious matters in the House cf Commons. Although tho House of Commons is an essentially secular body, do not let us exaggerate. I think really at. heart it is much more religious than it appears , . The House of Commons is, and nntst be, impressed by the increased growth- in the spiritual life and in the devotion and self-sacrifice of the clergy of the Church of England compared with past times. I think that the House of Commons is, when any matter pertaining to tho Church is put before it and fairly explained, less disposed to obstruct out of any narrow-miiidcd- feeling than it was in the past. (Applause!)- And here I would like to say one word about the new feature in tho House of Commons—the advent of a Labour Party. I was appointed Chairman of Ways and Means in the House of Commons for the first time when (he Labour Parly became a considerable force in the ITous-s. I have watched their attitude towards Church matters and religious matters rather carefully, and I am delighted to bo able to say that, tin the whole, I think they have observed a very broad-minded attitude. Even on the education question, when probably their solution of the matter was not one that many of us would agree to, (hey never shewed.anv inclination to pursue what I may call a policy of pinpricks to the Church of England. (Applause.) They always used to Ireat the Church of England with the same fairness as any other religious body, and never.on nny.occasion. have I heard from any of them any word hostile to religion. Well, I say, then, 1 do not think .we need be so afraid of the House of Commons." (Applause.) , Bishop Gore concluded a vwy interesting speech;,by. a. reference,(a-the-' reform qf Convocation,':.expressing the opinion that the law officers of tho Crown (he was nat referring to the present or any. particular set of them) were the real enemies of that relorm. Ho was incljned to say to (he Archbishop of Canterbury, "Aro'you sure you have not (he power to do it yourself?" (Applause.) He believed (hat there, was some such power. At "ariyrate, -he would gladly, see t.lte-!lliin'gvtrjc'd'aiid defy the con-cnYiehces. 'tlicnew'cd applause.) "I am Mire,' he, continued, "we Churchmen woujd put. our hands in our pockets, to guarantee ■ the Archbishop from any-ex-penses .involved in a friendly' appeal to the Law Courts with the object of testing whether the law officers of the Crown are as much in the right as they are supposed to I)?."' (Applause.) With reference' to Disestablishment proposals, he said ho would not consent, if he could help, it, Io anyungenerous measures, but that whs not tho'' question ,now. .- It was'at least twenty years away. In tho meantime ho hoped Churchmen would press forward on the path of reform, and he.appealed Io convinced disestablishes, while advocating their own 'policy, not to take up a idog-ii>-the-mangor.iaftiludo; and- endeavour Io prevent the Church'fromreforming itself. (Applause.) ■' v ■ . : ■