RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1234, 16 September 1911, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

A BISHOP'S GREAT WORK. DIOCESE COVERING 2,000,000 SQUAHE 311LKS. . ■ llio largest Anglican dioccso in the world is apparently not in Australia or Canada, but in South America, '.L'ho Kiglu iiev. L. I''. Blair, Uishop oi the l'aikland Islands, not only directs the ailairs ot tlic Anglican C'iiurcli in that remote and innospitablo X>art or vno Empire, but exercises authority over churenmen lor UOUU miles up tile \Yestern Coast oi .South America, his diocese is I!,UtIU,OOU square miles'in area, and includes the live republics oi Cinli, iVru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia, i)r. Blair is a young man, -lie was consecrated last year, and returned to England ill April last to collect ci:JOU,OOO lor Church work throughout Ins nugo dioce.-e. lie points out tnat thousands of English people are going to these parts, owing to tne expansion ot trade, a third of which is iu briush hands. 1 Lis aim is to equip the British. communities residing in tneso countries religiously, educationally, and medically, in anticipation of the grout boom in commeico that will result irom the opening of the Panama Canal. Ho has now only fourteen churches and chaplains to meet the wants of the widely-scattered British settlers. His idea is to establish in the principal towns more churches and chaplains, good schools witlr British teachers; and hospitals and nursing homes with skilled medical men. lie has every confidence in the realisation of his scheme, feeling sure that "when in 1015 the opening of the Panama Canal takes place, with the consequent rush to those now little-known countries, the British newcomers will iind their old Church already firmly established, ready with the olfer of spiritual, educational, and medical help to all her sons."

THE "CHINA INLAND" MISSION. NEARLY 1000 MISSIONARIES.

A substantial paper-covered volume of 170 pages is required to summarise) Die year's work of the China Inland- Mission. "China and the, Gospel" will be rrad with interest and respect by many who may not .subscribe to the China, inland Mission's familiar theological position. In the first place, its scope is very impressive. During the year ufty-t'lireo now workers joined the mission, and, deducting the various losses and retiremcuts, there is a hot gain of .thirty-fivo workers, making a total of no fewer than 9CS misEioners working under the direction of this one society. To these are. added "033 Chineso colleagues, 702 of whom are relf-supporting or aro supported by the Chinesa Church. The reports from the provinces indicate 'dearly how great a mass of solid work these figures represent.' The China Inland Mission does not hesitate, to tabulate, its. successes. It points to 2537 baptisms as evidence of tho efficacy of its methods of teaching. For the last ten years the- averago number of baptisms per annum has been about 2000, and a plea is now mndo that it is time to expect yet greater things. In four years' time, tho report notes, t.ho Mission will celebrate its jubilee, and a splendid way of thanksgiving would, bo an annual increase of baptisms from 2GOO to 3500. The. report: refers to tho everincreasing' opportunities of preaching the Gospel and the new openings for reaching the bettor-rdueated classes. Several special mission:-, apparently on Western lines, drew largo audiences in important centres. The total income was .£7-1,953, a snail.advance on the previous year. It is somewhat disquieting to noto that it is only in the funds received for associate' missions that thcro is an increase. The incomu for the China Inland Mission .proper shows a small but general decrease.—"Christian "World."

ARE RELIGIOUS MEN HONEST?

DR. DUFF'S.INQUIRIES. Dr. Alc.iamlcr.DulT, of Bradford, preaching ill London rsrsntly,. said that the .greatest Gospel utterance for to-day, which men were hungering for, was this —all business is religion, or, if they lilted fo put it in another form, all business wos tho work of the Kingdom of God. They could not separate religion and business, and would destroy both if they tried to do so. Someone might whisper that in saying this ho did not'know much about business. Thsv might think.so, but he would tell tliim a tale. He met on a recent, Sunday evening 0110 of tho keenest business men in Bradford, a man who hated meanness and who carried 011 profitsharing in its test form, and said to him, "You are in touch with business men in this town, and know what port of folk tlity are. Tell nie. what proportion of business men in this city arc over-reach-ing and dishonest and mean and unjust? What percentage are not ruled by conscience? What percentage are. bad?" He replied, "Sir, there aro actually very few men in business who aro not trying'hard to do right. The percentago of bad 'men is very small." A few days since Dr. Duff added, he put a similar question to the Mayor of an active northern borough, and tlie reply was tho same. Ho did not believo (hat business was ever entirely in the possession of the dcM. Moil felt and knew everywhere tho command of God whispering, "Do right," and men everywhere obeyed.

THE NEW DEAN OF ST, PATRICK'S. Tho new Dean of St. Patrick's was ejected on .Tuly 2G. The choice fell upon tlia Very Rev. Charles T. Ovoiuleu, D.D., Dean of Cloghcr, who has been for fifteen years lfector of Enniskillen, a parish .which can number among its incumbents the late Archbishop Magce. The Dean, who has been forty years in Holy Orders, has published' several volumes of sermons, and a treatise 011 popular science, which he has himself illustrated, and ho lias in addition proved his versatility by. painting the preientalion portrait of Mis former Bisliop, Dr. D'Arcy, as well as by publishing a choral fervice, which has been sung in St. Patrick's. The Dean is an excellent and forcible preacher, and has been, as Succenlor of St. Patrick's, thoroughly acquainted with Cathedral conditions.

PRESENTED TO THE KING.

During the visit of the King and Quoon to Edinburgh quite a number of the ministers of tlio United Free Clmrcli were honoured with invitations to Ilolyrood Palace. At the levee, which was the most brilliant function of the l?oyal visit, tho following were presented to the King by (he Lord Chamberlain Principal Alex. AYhyto, D.D., Edinburgh; Principal G. A. Smith. Aberdeen; Rev. Archibald Henderson, D.D.. Crieff; Rev. W. IV. Beveridge, T.D., Port Glasgow; I!ev. W. S. Swanson, Glasgow; Rev. Win. Todd, Kiritcaldys Rev. J. ,T. Jlacanlay, Gresyiopk; and Rev. Robert, Primrose, Stirling. AVith the exception of tho Doctors of Divinity, who wore tho scarlet robes of their degree, the ministers were predated in pulpit gown and cassock with bands, and clerical court hat, sill; lioso and buckled shoes. On no former occasion, in Scotland, have so many ministers outside the Established Church been received at Court. DR. DIXON'S STORY. In the course of a remark-able sermon on prayer at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, liolidon, on July 2.'i, Dr. Dixon gave a striking personal reminiscence. Years ago. ho said, a young man who-intended to become a pastor, preached for about nine months at a small country church l>efore going to the theological seminary. He prayed that God might enable him to baptise one hundred persons before he catered collegc. This became his drenin by night and his burden by day. On the day before his departure the 'number' had reached'ninety-four. At the church five people were wailing to be baptised. The young man said, "Praise Ihe Lord! that is very close, and t will take that as an answer to my pravc-r." At (ho mill pond, where tho last baptismal service was held, a man came to Ihe young preacher and said, "ll.v wife is going in. and T want to go with her." "So," said Dr. Dixnn, who has a sunso of Ihe dramatic.. "he was baptised in his Su-ndny-givmeeling clothes, and went two miles home wel through, and Ihe exact hundred was readied. And 1 know that is true, for the. young maa who thus put God to tho tost in tho woods of North Carolina stands before you."

BEATIFICATION OF NUNS. ADDRESS BY THE TOrE. 'flic reading of the decrees of the Sacred Congregation of Kites on tho heroic virtues- of (he Venerable Luisa Do Marillac (widow Legrasse), foundress of tlio Daughters of Charity, and of the Venerable Mary of tho Incarnation, of the Ursulines of Quebec, took placo oil July 19, ill presence of the Sovereign Pontiff, surrounded by his court in tho Throne Room of tho Vatican. Tho dcereo having been read by tho Titular Archbishop of Carisfo, a reply was made in French l)V his Grace tho Most Rev. Dr. ]3ruches"i, Archbishop of Montreal, in which ho thanked the Holy Father in tho namo of tho two institutes, and briefly reviewed the life and works of Ixith ladies. Remaining seated on the throne, his Holiness briefly described the close resemblance that existed between t,ho earcers of the two sainll.v women. Doth were born about the same time, both embraced tho married state, beeaiuo widow?, and then entered the religious life, one by founding an institute, tho other by being professed in a I'rsuline convent. Tho Pope then spoke of tho marvellous works accomplished by tho Ursulinos in Cauada and by tho Daughters of Charity all the world over. Tho lives of the members of both Orders, spent in tho education of youth and the service of tlio sick, aro passed in this world without hope of reward other than that of the eternal crown bought by thousands of sacrifices. After congratulating the Sisters of both institutes, the lloly Father expressed tho hope that tho prayers of tho two venerable servants of God would bring harmony among men, especially in Canada. Their prayers would go far. he trusted, to make the world know that civilisation is not diffused bv the lay school, nor by the pretence of rights without duties, but by making tho will of Gcd- and the teaching of Christ' the basis of everything.

C.E.M.S. MEMBERSHIP TOTALS 112,000. The half-annual meeting of tho Council of tho Church of England Men's Society was hold at the Church House, London, in July, when the Archbishop of York presided. Tho Archbishop said tho movement lias reached a period in its history \vhou rapid growth Rives way to tho need of deepening tho work which lias already neon done, and the attention of every Keen member must now bo directed to consolidate that work, and to keep well to tho fore tho spiritual ideals of tho movement. Tho income and expenditure account and balance-sheet showed a very satisfactory stafe of aft'airs. with a substantial balanco in excess of expenditure. During the. past year more than 700 new branches have l>een added, they being not only in England and Wales, but also in Scotland. Ireland, the Army, tho Merchant Service, Africa, . Australia, Tapmania, New Zealand, Canada, India, and Newfoundland, and tho total membership to date is 112,000. The Rev. H. S. Woolleombe, who with his doctor's permission was "prosont, submitted a report upon the work which lie had undertaken for the society during the past two years. .Air. AVoollcombe left' England in 190!), visiting Australia, where ho addressed meetings in alniost every diocese in that island continent. Ho then wont'to Tasmania and New Zealand and Africa, and practically travelled all over the latter country from Durban to Mafckinij, and from Cape Town to Livingstone. In all lie covercd something iiko 40,000 miles, and addressed TjOO meetings. It is not to bo wondered at that such a strain resulted in the breakdown which made it impossible for Mr. H'ooleombo to carry out the tour in India. Ilis report contained many suggestions; which will receive the careful consideration of tho Council and Executive Committee. cjlis > words creatcd a vision of the opportunities for tho . movement beyond the most sanguine hopes and expectations of those connected with it at home. The Council earnestly trusts that Mr. Woollcombo's health and strength may bo soon restored, and that he may still'in manifold ways'give his valuable services to tho movement.

V DR. HORJON.

Dr. Horton was in a reminiscent vein nt Lyndhurst Road Congregational Church, Hnmpstcad, on Sunday, evening, July 23. After giving out tho 'text of his sermon (Jolin iii. 1-1, 15), he referred to Mr. Moody's meetiugs about thirty-five years ago at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, when tho galleries were thrown open to servo as inquiry-rooms, and volunteers were asked for to help tho almost innumerable seekers to find the way to God, "At that time," said Dr. liorton, "I was an undergraduato at tho university, but I was led to tho Agricultural Hall in tho vacation, and I ventured, with my Diblo alone, to enter into'thoso inquiry-rooms, and I tried to speak to those who wcro there. That was my initial expcrienco of leading seeking souls to God." IN BRIEF. Gipsy Smith was one of tho prominent figures" at tho Frco Church reunion in July. Tho famous evangelist is in better health after a long rest, and is looking forward to his campaign on tho Pacific Coast. Tho tour, as planned, gives from two to three weeks each to Spokane, Seattle, and Tacomn, AVllPortland, Ore., San Francisco, and Los Angeles, Cal., and probably to Dallas, Texas. This will occupy the tini-e from October till about 1 tho middle of March. Several cities are putting up temporary auditoriums, as it is required that buildings having a minimum seating capacity of 5000 shall I>9 furnished in each' place. Tho evangelist will reach America in time to spend Sunday, September 17, in Now York, preaching at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian and llutgers Presbyterian churches.

Mr. lioo-cvelt has contributed to tho New York "Outlook' 'a warm appreciation of the Salvation Army. No history of tho nineteenth century, lie says, and probably no history of th-o twentieth century, will be complete that does not deal with tho work of the Army, lie notes that "at tho beginning it was a purely religious body, but those, at its head were driven into' social work because of their sympathy with suffering. They had not planned out their work from the outset; they took it up piece, by piece, just as their hearts responded to appeal after appeal made by tho sufiering people with whom they were endeavouring to get into touch."

It is announced that the Bishop of Durham has conferred .the residentiary Canonry, vacated by the death of Canon Body, upon tho Right Hev. A. K. Tucker, J).]/., lalo Bishop of Uganda.' Dr. Tucker has served as Bishop for 21 years in East Africa, and Iwforo his elevation to tho Bpiscopato was curato of St. Nicholas, Durhau, under Prebendary Fox.

Canon A. G. Decdes, who has boon curate of St. John the Divine, Keimingtou, for 27 years, has been appointed vicar by (ho trustees, in succession to the late Canon Brooke.

Dr. Clark, tho father and founder of the C.E. movement, offered to resign, his presidency of the United Society of America at' the recent International Con-

volition in Atlantic City, N..1., on the ground that he had been leading Iho movement for 30 years, and is ncariiiß his sixtieth birthday. The tnislces of the United Society would not hear of the resignation, though in view of tho repeated physical breakdowns of Dr. Clark they agreed that he should br freed from attendance Nat conventions. During' the convention Dr. Clark was presented with a gold watch-chain with square-cut links, bearing the names of American States nnd Canadian provinces subscribing to tho

Kift, and a diamond-studded C.E. mono, gram.

This year there are 150 Methodist rrraduates and undergraduates in tho University of Cambridge: 70 are members of fociety classes, including 52 in Dr. Barber's University class, and 18 arc preachers. An average of five .university men become candidates for the Wosloyan ministry every year. A Methodist has held' tho'presidency of Ili-o union, tho Craven scholarship has been Rained by a Methodist, under the old conditions the senior wrangler would have be-en a Methodist, a South African Methodist coxed tho 'Varsity bcot, and the higlicst prim? for Greek 'Testament scholarship was gained by a Methodist.

Sir Unbcrt-PerV-s, Bart., has olfered to <l.?fray the cost of a, memorial tablet for Winc'lielsea Cli., denoting Hie dnloof .Tolin AYeslcy's last service in tho old church.