TIMELY TOPICS

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1935, Page 4

TIMELY TOPICS

THE MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE. Says Dr. H. Spencer Jones, F.R.S., the. Astronomer Royal, in the “Methodist Recorder”: “May there not be some other planets elsewhere which are similar to the Earth in climate, atmosphere and general conditions? and, whether we believe that human life has come on to our Earth by a slow process of evolution from more primitive types or by a special act of creation, may there not be intelligent life —or even human life —on planets elsewhere, .where conditions are such that life can exist? To such a question, astronomy can give no definite answer. Personally. I am inclined to think that the probability is in favour of ‘Yes’ as an answer. Such an answer seems to me to give the wider view of creation. And, if, as we believe, man was created in the image of God, may it not be that the Creator has made beings also in His image elsewhere? If we suppose that only on the Earth, this tiny speck of matter in a vast creation, does life in the image of the Godhead exist, 1 we are in danger of repeating the error of the old Greek astronomers by , i making of our earth the moral cen- I 1 tre, as it were, of the Universe, iust, I as they believed it to be the physical j centre.” I THE TOTALITARIAN STATE, j The modern State as developed unj dei’ dictators in Europe moulds the . character of its citizens, says the t Bishop of Durham, Dr. Hensley Henson, in a recent article on “Some ] Signs of the Times.” It does this, he \ adds, by fixing the range and charac- i ; ter of the education which all must | j receive, directs their thoughts by j i keeping control of every instrument , I by which knowledge is conveyed and j I opinion formulated —the Press, the .

! platform, the theatre', the machinery for broadcasting—and imposes on the Church the type of its doctrine and the mode of its worship. Never throughout the long history of mankind, as he travelled the difficult road from aboriginal savagery to the heights of civilisation, has the individual been menaced by a despotism so searching, so übiquitous, a no. so severe. The facile acceptance ot this enslavement of the individual is itself an impressive indication of the slight and superficial character of the Christianity of Christendom. Happily the victoi’y of despotism is not quite complete. In Russia and in Germany there are protesting minorities, who, in the teeth of the utmost difficulty are holding their ground. <s> <»> ■*’ Words of Wisdom. To wise hearty this certain hope is given—no mist that man may raise shall hide the eye of heaven. Keble. <?> <S> ❖ Tale of the Day. I Conjuror: Now, sir, you hear your watch ticking, inside, this handkerchief. Are you satisfied? Member of the audience (dehght’edly) : More than satisfied. It hasnt been going for a month.