Timely Topics

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1939, Page 8

Timely Topics

“In a world on which the doors of the madhouse seemed to be closing,” says the “Financial Newp, ,? _ ‘'the conclusion of the Anglo-American trade

U.S. AND BRITAIN TOGETHER.

a gr ee men t .matks ' a sub" stantlai throvvba c k ■ toward

sanity. Lasjt year, • the United States was Britain's largest extra-imperial customer, and our purchases from the U.S. exceeded those from any other country. - “Any agreement designed ’to increase the total volume 0 f .trade transacted between two such countries and their dependencies deserves high commendation. Political effects are secondary to that main purpose, but in the present disturbed international context their importance is obvious. It would have been tragic if the opportunity to conclude a treaty had been lost; yet the difficulties have been formidable and the bargaining hard. “However, it is true to say that both countries have obtained tangibly concessions on those classes of commodities for which they, were most desired. We have received reductions 'in duties covering the bulk of our | textile trade with the Ignited States. The list of six hundred-odd products ,on which concessions have been se- | cured also includes such varied items as whisky, bicycles, textile machinery, boots and shoes, ffierrings and 'earthenware.” 1 . « 8 X 9t

“We know only too well how unpleasing in the eyes of many the; shortcomings of heological ■ controver-

TNEOLOGY AND] TODAY. v

sialists haye rendered theological controversy," says

| pr.f C. J; Cadoux, in “The Casl ior Evangelical Modem*

■ism;” v \ ■ “The atmosphere Of. debate has too often been vitiated by impatience, pride, and uncharitableness. Too often has the attenipt been nladd to discredit an antagonist, not fey Showing his view to be mistaken, but by the simpler expedient of stigmatising it with* some - question-begging label. There is much truth in the late Canon Streeter’s ironical remark: in his book on ‘The Primitive" Church’: ‘ln religious controversy; it-is commonly words, riot their meaning, that matters;’ But, however well the method of refuting by means of labels may befit a browbeating lawyer or the dictator of a totalitarian State, in •If theological research it leads npwhere. The first prerequisite for.iudh’research is a profound for th tmlnd arld ; vision bfftter man, and reverence for the vastness and sanctity of the truth of God. The analogy which helps us, to see the compatability between friendliness and controversy is that of the cricket field. There we have a demonstration of how the pugnacious rivalry of men can be indulged to the very full, not only without rancour, ‘ .but in friendly- co-operation productive of nothing but good. I khow no reason why precisely the slame conditions should not prevail in the field of theo* logical controversy, provided; such controversy is conducted' in tlie noble and reverent 'spirit that should animate the enterprise.” ‘