PRESENT-DAY RELIGION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8815, 2 March 1892, Page 3

PRESENT-DAY RELIGION.

TO THK EDITOR. Sir, —May I be allowed to make a few remarks 011 your leader in to-day's Herald? It is only fair to say that the part you criticised was only part ot one sermon of a set (1) on the destiny of mail : ('J) on the hope set before us ; ('A) the seriousness of life ; (4) the need of progress in method and power, with special reference to the epistle for the day, I Corinthians xiii., where St. Paul's axiom of growth from childhood to manhood was under review, and notice was taken of the fact that many men failed to join in public worship partly because of the ill-pro-portioned presentment of the principles of religion in their youth, and partly because Divine service as an act of worship was not a continuation of the same method as that aimed at in .Sunday-school. When the term "object" lessons was used it was to convey the idea of centreing the young mind on something which would first appeal to their intelligence, and upon that appeal a call would be made on their affections anil will. The surpliced choir is not, as you unkindly remark, to "enkindle their affections," but in order (1) to educate male children into the idea of contributing something to the worship of the congregation ; {'2) to impress the catechumens with the importance of the service; (3) and to implant in the minds of the singers themselves the importance of their office in leading the worshiu of the service. You then proceed to i say " Mr. Calder does not deal with j the cause of this religious indifference.' 1 This, sir, is a mistake, as I have j pointed out above. What was said was, | " 111-proportioned presentment of the principles of religion or lack of connection and continuity between Sunday-school teaching and Divine worship was one of the causes," and this scheme is proposed as a possible solution of part of the problem. In short, my contention is, that this generation has not been taught to worship, to offer acceptable sacrifice, to pour out itself, to forget self and to dedicate ail its powers to God. Of course the Sunday-school has too great a load to carry ; the home is the place to carry on the teaching of the young, but we know it is not done in any formal manner. But until such time as religious instruction of some kind is given in homes and schools, I contend this scheme under review has the elements of success in it. And lastly, we are not pessimists, nor have we ceased to labour as well as wait. This scheme is to try and effect that which has not yet been effected—to make a connecting link between Sunday-school teaching and Divine service, and we are going to dc it.—lam, &c., William Calder.