RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1509, 3 August 1912, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

CHURCH AND PEOPLE. VIEWS OF BISHOP WELLDON, III!. HORTOX, AND DR. J. MIj.NRO. GIBSON. In articles which appeared in the "Westminster Gazette" (republished in The Dominion) there appeared a statistical review of the positions of the Established and tree Churches. These articles sought Id show; (1) Whether organised Christianity in England and Wales is. progressing or declining; and 12) Tho extent to which (he ordiimrv church services and Sunday school leaelilng are appealing to our increasing population. Tlie figures given, it was pointed out, supplied a discouraging deduction, inasmuch as it was shown that organised Chnsliaiuly is not progressing to tlie sameextent as the population. "The numbers of communicants, Sunday scholars, and teachers in the Anglican Church again show an increase. Hut untoiiimately a further shrinkage is observable in the statistics of the Free Churches." Our readers (says tho "Westminster Gazette) will, m these circumstances, read with interest what Bishop Welldon, Dr. HoitM, and Dr. Munro Gibson have to say with reg,iru to the fads disclosed. Bishop Wcltdou says-.-"The antagonism be,ween the Church and Nonconforni"'Vr .",' "'J' *- vl v i to a 1,u 'S fi extent unjustifiable. Nowhere, indeed, is it truer than in the relation of the various Christian denominations that if 'one member sillier, all the members suffer with it.' LuU.he articles in the 'Westminster Gazelle bring out two facts. Ono is that 1-hnslianity a t the present day scarcely Krpps pace with the growing moral and spiritual needs of the community; tho other that the Church is mure successful Nonconformity in tho attempt to satisfy tiioso needs. These are'just the tacts which keep me from looking with any favour on projects for disestablishing and disendowing the Church in England or even in Wales. I do not care much for political parties, but I do care or the highest interests of tho people 1 think it is n matter of supreme importance to ensure as far as possible the religious character of the citizens. I think tho voluntary system of providi'iv religious ministrations tends to brcaTc down under the strain of modern life. It seems to me, therefore, that any blow dealt to Hio National Church would bo a blow dealt to religion." Dr. J Mmi:-o Gibson's comment: '"In the state of things to which vou very properly call attention it is action rather than words which is called for on our

Dr. Robert Horlon: "We should do well to unite our forces, and to aid each other's work, instead, of rcm.-iiiiing aloof, or regarding each other as rivals or enemies. Jhe decrease in. the Free Churches is apparently overbalanced by the increase m the Established Church; but (he figures point to a decided loss on the wliole, relatively to tho growth of population revealed in the Census. Considering that we are all aiming at one object, -viz., to carry out Christ's purpose and bring the Kingdom of God into bein* in our own country, 1 cannot sco why all the Uuirclies—that bear His name and exist to do His work—should nut meet in fraternal conference,,and consult how they may aid each other and promote the common enterprise. Thero appear to be. about livo millions of coinninnicanls enrolled. A conference of communicants, through their appointed representatives, ignoring denominational dill'oronocs, lo consider how to com mend (lie Christian Vermes to the thirly-livo millions who are nut communicants, would draw us together, magnify ouv unity, minify our distinctions. Those five million Christians, in harmony and co-operation, could (.oubtlflss win the whole country, perhaps the whole world."

the Rev. W. MelviJlo Harris. M.A., secretary of the Young People's Department of Iho Congregational Union of KiHancl and A\ nics, writes to tho "Westminster Gazette" as follows:—

I have been grcally interested in vour articles m the •Westminster Gazette' on 'Church and People,' and must thank yon lor the effort made to give a clear view of the present situation. At the fame lime, I think, perhaps, vou are scarcely just to the Congrega'tionalisls when you hint that, wo havo not set ourselves seriously to face the situation of declining numbers, at any rate, with regard to our young people. Some six vears ago wo made an exhaustive inquiry" into our Sunday .Schools and Young People's Societies, which resulted in the issue of the report, entitled 'Our Sunday Schoils as (hey Are, and as they May' Become,' a copy of which I have pleasure in enclosing you. Peeling it necessary to follow up the suggestions by active' propaganda, a Young People's Department iii connexion with (ho ITnion was formed, iu the spring of 1008, and through this department we have been steadily engaged in (he foundation work of striving to gain greater cliicioncy in' all forms of work amongst the young. "Whilst not seriously facing the question of numbers, feeling that that is most likely to right itself as more elfectivo work is done, w ; o havo by means of an active- propaganda striven to raise the standard of religious education, and lo quicken our churches to the need of better buildings in which to carry on (heir work amongst the young.' For this purpose we havo r.n architect who gives advico with regard to buildings, and by (lie various methods wo aro doing work that I am' sure will 'toll' in days to come, although for tlio moment it does not show for much.