SPIRIT OF THE BIBLE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 303, 20 November 1934, Page 2

SPIRIT OF THE BIBLE

FRESHER THAN EVER. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 19. Speaking at a civic reception to-day. Rsv. Dr. James Moffatt, the eminent Biblical scholar and translator, made a plea to New Zealanders not to make their ministers “maids of all work” as was done in the United States. Often a minister had to be almost everything; he had to be a business man and to run side-shows, so that he had not the time to attend to his proper business.

“Pray, be kindly to your ministers and you wll get much more out of them,” he said. One hundred clergy attended a complimentary luncheon to Dr. Moffatt. In the course of ail inspiring address, Dr. Moffatt quoted, with approval, the advice of Dr. Gwatkin to preach about God and preach about 20 minutes. Ministers had very little time in which to speak to tlieir people. Why should they waste it in speaking about anything but the central thing? People wanted them to preach about God. Another saying commended by Dr. Moffatt was that of Bishop Stubbs: “Avoid the spirit of lying and don’t keep a dusty mind.” The Bible was more- fresh to-day than ever it was, and that was largely due to modern criticism, which had made it a new Book, and to the spirit of the Church. “Without Church worship and fellowship I do not think we can understand the Bible,” he said. •“Dr. Moffatt is one of the big men who belong to us all,” said Archbishop Averill in expressing his thanks. “He could not have given us anything more helpful than he has given us to-day.” Dr. and Mrs Moffatt left for the south by the express this afternoon.