THE TORREY MISSION.

Evening Star, Issue 11696, 30 September 1902, Page 8

THE TORREY MISSION.

TO THE KIMTOR. 1 Sir.—Alter the lurid theology and excitement with which Danedin has been satu-

rated, is ir asking too much of you to be good enough to supply a little wholesome antidote in your Religious World columns. What I suggest is that you favor your readers with some extracts, from u, book in the Athenaeum, entitled 'The Dead Pulpit," written by an eminent clergyman of undoubted scholarship and eudowed with sanctified commou senses —that rare, comaiodity, as Dr Stuart was wont to say. Of the many monstrous statements made by Dr Torrey one of the most- objectionable w:us his comment on the request rnado by a wile "for the best of husbands not saved." Who made l)r Torrey or this wife a judge of who was saved or otherwise"' A tnousaud to one the only evidence the nervous, excitable woman possessed was her husband's refusal to attend any of the. Torrey meetings ! The urgent pressing of young people to come publicly forward and testify reminded the ■writer "of the lady in the golden chariot, who, with persuasive tongue, aided by a brass band, succeeded in inducing numerous people In Duoedin and elsewhere to step up and have their teeth drawn in imblie. Of course, she. was American, like onr visitor. Such people in the. quiet of the dentist's room could have had their teeth quietly and safely removed. In the same way so-called converts of the Torrey mission would cloudless, left to themselves, by means of their minister's Bib'.o class and ordinary church teaching, have come to a proper frame of mind and to a calmer and more satisfactory decision than the forced, unnatural one they were induced to make. —I am etc., Veritas. September 29. TO THE EMTOB. Sir.—l have noticed in this evening's issue of the •Star' an article on the Torrey mission by " Berliner," and quite agree with him on some points. First, that the doctrines preached by Dr Torrey must also be accepted by orthodox clergy. Secondly, that all clergy of this town are quite competent to preach those doctrines, and I also believe that it would l>e as well for Dunedin and the fair tame of American religionists who sent him here had Dr Torrey remained at home. The methods of these revivalists are not admired by the great majority in their own land ; but •why does " Berliner" commend the minister who allow* a man to stand in his pulpit and " crack jokes with his Maker " and " violate all the finest instincts of the religious experience, in direct opposition to the spirit and teaching of Jesus Christ"? Are not their churches a sacred charge? Allow me also to protest against the charge that " Americans corrupt the English language, and glory in it.'' He can never have visited our country. He I surely reads no American writer. Oh. ■ves ;" David Harum.' which illustrates a dialect rare, indeed, among us. and growing daily more so. Shall we say of Kipling's writings that they are samples of language used by Britishers'.' Again, are the words " swag," "billy," "tucker," etc.. etc., very noticeable, especially in Victoria. good linglish. or a stain of the old convict days best gotten rid of'.' Is ii right to " pronounce " lady." " tailor." " make." " baby."' etc., ad infinitum. " lidy." "tiler," "mike," " biby "1 Or will "Berliner" acknowledge that the language used in this beautiful, progressive country of his is not quite perfect?—as at some future time we trust he will learn that not all Americans are like the two to whom the clergyhave yielded their pulpits. Thanking you Mr Editor, for your fair play—l am, etc., BELX.E V. CuSHMAN, Of New York City. September 27. TO THE KDITOB. - Sir, —1 desire to thank you for your eon- j tributed article in Saturday's issue, ' Whyshould we Americanise our Religion?" I revolt at the mechanical way in which the Torrey-Alexander mission has been carried on —the silf-satisfactory way in which results —rather imaginary results—have been counted, as if true and genuine eonversion could be " purchased " by excitement. It would appear, however, lam glad to find, that the Dr Torrey school does not represent American Christianity. Mr Ward, also an American, who has been occupying the Hanover street Baptist Church pulpit for some months with exceptional acceptance, stated last night, at the close, of his farewell sermon, with reference to remarks made by Dr Torrey in a.nother hall : "It was poor preaching, he considered, thai declared you mustn't do this and vou shan't do that, and you must give up some debatable little recreation in order to secure eternal life. I am impatient with tho erection of fences, which Jesus Christ never constructed, i-o keep people out of Heaven." These, are words of truth and soberness, and bear the true Christian stamp—from an American, also, without the Americanism we have been subjected to under the reign of Torrey-Alexander.—l am, etc.. Highland Pkkslasion. September 29.