CALVIN CELEBRATIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 104, 29 October 1909, Page 3

CALVIN CELEBRATIONS.

"THE CHURCH AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS." MEETING AT CHRISTCHURSH. [BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.! CHRISTCHURCH, 28th October!" The Presbyterian General Assembly held a public meeting to-night in connaction with Calvin" quater-centenary celebrations. The Rev. W. Gray Dixon (Auckland) spoke on "Calvin and the Modern World." Dr. Gjbb, speaking on "The Church and Social Problems," said Calvin was the originator of modern democracy. It was difficult to determine the right attitude of the Church towards the democracy's ideas and inspirations, and its insistent claim for justice. Difficult also was the attitude of the Church to the question of collectivism versus individualism. All real improvement in the social conditions and institutions of mankind depended on the character of the people, and that defended on the people's attitude to Christ. The Church must stand clear of all political factions. Its members might be individualists or out-and-out Socialists, but theChurch had no polities, and must havp none. It was., unwise for the Church to meddle with questions of Labour and hours of labour, with the exception of "sweated labour."' During his recent visit Home he found the Churches diseufsing their attitude towards social problem*,, find the idea was advanced that, if better wages r.nd hours of labour were secured, the working men would flock into the Church. He was ablo to disabuse their minds on that point. The only means of advancement was by so moralising industry as to bring about a higher conception of the common good. The Church ought *o .speak with the greatest plpinness to the rich man He would brand as utterly contemptible tho idea that a man was a good man who poid his debts and loved his wife and children, and then, without considering Church or State, left them thousands and thousands of pounds. He would plso have the Church speak with fidelity to the working man. They should brand the maxim oi thfc rnuximum of pay for the minimum of work as one that came from the devil "himself, and the very lowest devil at that. He advocated profitsharing, and indicated that at a later atagc he would like to ask the assembly to form a department of church and labour, such as they h.id in the United States. Continuing, he said they knew the population was decreasing in New Zealand as well as elsewheio. This was a scandal to the Church, and, to some extent,, to Ihose outside it. In 1907 New Zealand's birth-rate was only seven more per thousand than that of France, which was a decadent nation. Without any fear of criticism, he could say that the wives and mothers of New Zealand, great multitudes of whom were ardent politicians and strong in social work, would be doing more for tho Kingdom of God and the future welfare of the Dominion by bringing a due number of children into the world than by their political movements iir.d social propaganda.

During the hearing of the aeratedwater workers' dispute at- the Canterbury Conciliation Council on Monday, the Lyttelton Times reports, -iho employers demanded a half-holiday on Boxing Day, the employers would not listen to the proposal, and neither side would givo way. At last one of the employers' nspfssors. suggested that the matter should be decided by Lhe tossing of a coin, and the workers accepted the sporting; chance. The coin was topsad. the workers' roprecentative called "heads-" and lost, and tho Boxing Day holiday was struck out. AN ABSOLUTE CURE JG'or Aching Back, Rheumatism, Sciatica, Lumbago, and all Kidney and Bladdei Troubles will be found iii Dr. Sheldon's Gin Pills. It is surprising the' good health obtained from this new .medicine. Absolutely guaranteed. Price is 6d and 2b 6d.— Advt.