THE TORREY-ALEXANDER MISSION.

Evening Star, Issue 11696, 30 September 1902, Page 7

THE TORREY-ALEXANDER MISSION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir.—The article by "Berliner" in Saturday's ' livening Star' entitled ' Why Should wo Americanise Our Religion?' has been read with very great interest. There is nothing said that every rational person does not already, know, stdl the article should be widely and carefully read by those who have not seen it. It should be cut out and put by for futuie reference as containing truths which, on quiet reflection, must go home to all. "Berliner" writes in a calm and graceful spirit, without offence to Dr Torrey aud Mr Alexander, although it would have been no surprise had Dr Torrey been more severely pricked for his impertinence and violence, the outcome of American religious methods. Truly, we may ask: '• Why should we Americanise our religion*" \ve may ask, also, " Why should we Americanise a great many things?" America is a great country we know a wonderfully progressive country, with its restless activity and startling achievements. But we know, at the same time, that America is a country bad to the core in its colossal frauds, its shams and swindles, its, greed and selfishness, its hypocrisy, its moral rottenness. We know all this, and we know more. We know that, America is no true friend to those people who, with all their faults, breathe a purer atmosphere as British subjects. Why, then, should we allow American influence to alfect us in anything'.' Why should wo allow that influence to creep into our religion, of all things, disturbing our old-time reverence and repose? It seems to me that Dr Torrey has spread his mantle very oosily over the Scottish people of this City. lam not, a Scot, but I have always been impressed with the quiet, devotional churacaeter of the Scottish people—a people by nature unobtrusive aud wary, who are ever keen to avoid pitfalls of extravagance in anything. Hence my surprise is great that they should let themselves go so eompletely under the influence of Dr Torrey's violent and perverted convictions. He may be a well-meaning man in his heart, but he is too extreme, too hard, too personal, and too aggressive. His American bluster sometimes gives such a shock to one's feelings that it seems sadly out of place when we think of the tender teachings of the lowly and forgiving Christ. I shall not dilate on the showman element. It is unnecessary to do that, since every Americuu who struts the public platform out here is a showman pure and simple. America is a great show i country : it fosters everything in t hat line, good or bail. Dr Torrey's opinion on gambling, dancing, and the Htagts Is startling. Evidently he has devoted a lot of precious lime to collecting the Hastiness of these iniquities—time, since we should "count it by heartthrobs," which might have been better employed. On gambling, 1 dare say, he should be a very high authority, since his own country is a very sink of the gambling evil. But has Dr Torrey told u.s anytliing new? Do we not already know that, there is evil in gambling, dancing, and the stage, us (here is in evtiy pursuit and walk of life? But we must draw the Hue somewhere in our condemnation of these things, lest we overstep the bounds of truth ;uhl play the fool. A_s to dancing, and the waltz in particular, it will be news for some Christian parents—some as good and purehearted a» ever God put the breath of life into—to hear that their daughters indulge in tire innocent enjoyment of a popular dance. which Dr Torrey says originated in the brothel. Truly Dr Torrey's lack of refinement must account for the insult he offers to modest women of this City. A.s to the stage, he says: " I am not saying that every woman on the stage is immoral—God forbid that. J should do so—but I do know that the stage takes away that fine womanly modesty from women." It is a good thing the doctor saved himself by the qualification, for there are as good Christian people on the stage as off it.—infinitely better sometimes. That grand old Christian Dr John i Stuart B.'ackie went to see Henry living's company in one of the Scottish towns, and j the next day he wrote a letter to the newspaper paying the stage one of the greatest tributes it liad ever received. From that j time forth he saw some good in the stage, ! and championed it in the very heart of Scottish bigotry. But Dr Blackie w;ts a charitable and reasonable man, and an honest judge: of human nature. Dr Torrev has not invaded the domain of many other hardened sinners who might well have been shaken up for their wickedness. Is there any more evil in the man or woman who gambles, dances, and acts on the stage than in that man—often a tradesman, broker, or lawyer—who swindles and robs you during the week, and goes to church on Sunday, wearing a sanctimonious face? What goodis to come out of Dr Torrey's special ;ittacks, when many evil-doers are let alone who are steeped to the neck in deception? Has he ever given a thought to those of his own countiy who come out here working their wickedness under the cloak of religious broadcloth? What about that archhypocrite Worthington? that handsome, spiritual genius whose winning personality and oily tongue brought many hundreds of gullible women to his fold. What about that man who was married to about a dozen women in the United States, and drove one who fell under his spell to a shameful suicide? •Worthington! The very name tills one with disgust. A nice American is he to come here and teach us moral rectitude, when he lies in gaol now awaiting his trial for swindling his latest victim, a woman iu Australia! Sensualist of the highest type, he is one of the many American shams who shake our faith in Transatlantic holiness.

[ Will this intrusion ou out peaceful colony by American filiowmun or sbow- ! women ever cease? Why do they not remain in America, where, in their short span of life, there is s u much needed in the way of purification and reform? Why do they not allow us to live in our own quiet British way, instead of poking their noses in here to work up strife and discord among friends whose religion is their own sacred affair? And why do we tolerate this intrusion—we British, who pride ourselves on our freedom and fairness to all? But I suppose in the.se times of hysterical surrendor—chiefly among women—to the influence of religious revivals, these catchpennies will continue to e-utrap, and reason will go n> the winds. Finally, let )ne s,ij-, in tic nords r,f Charles ivinipky, what applies to all «x----liayagani and nnrcaso-n.ioic pivach'trs: "Nois-.ir.css is not eainewtntms;" violprtre is m,i strength. Noise is a. sign of want of laith, and violence is a sign of weakness. . . . Ihero is. thank (iod, something in our ijuict. industrious country life which .breeds in men that solid, sober temper, the temper which produces much work and little talk, which is the mark of a true Englishman, a true gentleman, and a true Christian. But if you go into the great towns you will hear much noisy and violent speaking from pulpits, and \at public meetings. You will read much noisy and violent writing in newt papers and books. *N T ow, I say to you, distrust such talk. It may seem to you very earnest and passionate Distrust it for- that very roafion. . . .. The man who cannot speak or write without scolding ana exaggeration is not very likely to bo able to gfre sound adrice. to "his fellowmen. Remember that it is by violent language of this kind, in all ages, that liui*ktt-

cal preachers hare deoeived, silly, men and ■f-i'ffvep to their shame and ruin, and uiob leaders have stirred up riots and horrible couiusious. Remember this, and distrust violent and wordy persons wheresoever you meet- them; hut after listening to them', if you must, go homo and take out ;-our Bibles .and read the Gospel of St. John, and see '■'iow he spoke, the True Son of Thunder, Vrtuise words ara gone out into all lands, and their sound unto the end of the world I jfist because they are calm and solw.fi. plain

and simple, like the words of Jesus Chris:, hii Lord and our Lord, who spulu. as never man spake."—l am, etc.~ A Hopeful Sinner. September 29.