TENDENCIES OF THE AGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7800, 20 November 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

TENDENCIES OF THE AGE.

The world at the present day having to a large extent adopted Freothought as their standard of faith and morals, a few reflections on the subject may not be considered inappropriate. When the olergy grow like warm and lose their fervour, whole nations languish and people perish. 'The clergy who fheddle in earthly matters naturally become worldly and lose their dignity, as no man can serve two masters—God and mammon. A minister, so an eminent divine says, must have a real vooation for his office, should be so highly educated as not only to lead and instruct the general run of mortals, but to cause them to look up to him for advice in all spiritual matters ; that his manner should be mild and gentle, winning all hearts, man being easier led than driven; and that his life should be a daily sacrifice, an example to his flock, as example is better than pre* cept. How many of our clergy come within this category, and who amongst them are to blame for the spread of Freethought in their congregation, is a matter purely for their consideration ? The world has sadly altered during the last century, which has probably given rise to the many missions held lately amongst all denominations by men whose great object ifethb salvation of souls; and it must indeed be humiliating'' to the local clergy to see with what eagerness their flocks listen to a really earnest preacher. How they then crowd the churches, and bear witness to the power suoh as one has over their future lives, and with what avidity they drink in the waters of life. Of the 63,000 inhabitants, living in the environs of Auckland, not one in ten attend any church at all, and the question is, why. I am told it is because the clergy at every service meet them on the threshold with a demand for money, and that they are hardly seated before a second demand is made; that their discourses are chiefly composed of announcements of entertainments to take place during the week, in order to raise money for Church Building Fund, Organ Fund, Cemetery Fund, &0., thereby putting to flight the thoughts that should animate all true worshippers. If so, this surely could easily be remedied, by leaving these mundane arrangements to the laity, for these are matters requiring their attention. They know full well that money is necessary, and for the love they bear towards their Church, it will be managed by them far more successfully, and relieve the local clergy of considerable responsibility, and at ~ times of odium. How is it the olergy themselves cannot see the loss of prestige these matters involve quiet mischief it doesthe scandal it creates, and how indifferent men become in consequence? and that all the preaching against light readings, frequenting balls and theatres, which we have heard from our cradles upwards, are being smothered in the lioense of the age. , I am not as one without hope, but I cannot shut my eyes to the peril. What matters the altar oandleiticks being of wood, if the priests are but gold. O Tempoba 1 O Mores !