RE COMBINED WORSHIP.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 166, 27 June 1916, Page 3

RE COMBINED WORSHIP.

[TO TUB EDITOR.] Sir, —An article from a Christchurch paper by a writer stated to be “well versed” in the above matter appears in the “Tribune” of the 26th ins. Deploring, as I do, the lamentable want of unity in religion, and the variety of churches m our land, it is displeasing to me to comment on it, but. when a “well versed” man suggests as the in&ans of unfication of worship the following method, I scarcely know whether I am most amazed at its absurd futility or incited to laugh at its silly siinplicity. He says : “Let tin? man who can speak best, speak.” Who is to decide that particularly knotty point as to who speaks best, considering the partiality of the hearers each for his own special pastor and that pastor’s particular style of delivery ; also how, even, if successful in making such a decision, can that man with the most powerful eloquence express views aceotable to all, amidst the diversity of his hearers, all keen on their several points of doctrine and jealous of the prestige of their special ministries. Then again this “well versed” man . recommends a solution of the diffi--1 culty as follows“ Let the man who can pray best, pray.” A very stupid idea! What does he mean by “praying best?” The vociferous prayer of the Salvationer is objectionable to j the Anglican churchman, and the I Anglican churchman is equally objectionable to the Nonconformist m his ritualistic form of worship. The Irishman who prays tp the Mother has no part in the prayer if the prayer of the priest is not to be •heard, and the stiff-necked PresbvI terian will have nothing to do with anything tainted with altar worship, How in the world arc we to get uniform worship out of such a heterogenous crowd of worshippers, until we have learnt to realise vhat the “Universal Religion” means, which we aye so far off from doing at the present day. We cannot build it up on creeds and doctrines breed disputes and impede spiritual progress. If prayer from the heart of a united multitude is to reach (Heaven above, it can only be when l the “Holy Catholic Church” practices Catholicism, but not while so many portals are open, and so many ignorant guides are on the road to salvation. Everyone has the right to i his own religious views it is true. : therefore let each and all pray and preach according to their honest (beliefs, but it is folly in such circuini stance to- suppose combined worship ! can be productive of unity of worship by choosing the man who can “P r «v (the best” and “’speak the best.’ * eto ’ PILGBIM.