MODERN CIVILISATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20516, 18 March 1930, Page 12

MODERN CIVILISATION.

1 INFLUENCE OF CHRIST.

P EVIDENCE from history,

- Only iii Christ can we find a higher law fm- human civilisation than the law ft the jungle, ' said Archdeacon MacMurrny in an address to the Council of Christian Congregations last evening on " The Influence of Christ on Modern Civilisation."

Beginning with the .Roman Empire, Archdeacon Mac Murray described how the influence of Christ had been responsible for the betterment of every civilisation into which it had permeated, while, on the otlyer hand, the weakening or removal of that influence had resulted in corruption and decay. When the influence of Christ reached England/it brought with it freedom and equality. While democracy came from Christ, it should be remembered that from Him, too, came tho spirit which made democracy sweet and safe. Since that time the influence of Christ had not waned. There had been many names which recalled the power for good which had been given to. the English nation. iWilberforce, Shaftesbury, Elizabeth Fry, Florenc6 Nightingale, Josephine Butler and William Booth had wielded a groat influence in tha 19th century. Their endeavours had brought rectitude, unselfishness and uprighteousness to humanity. At the present day there might be no great figure which exerted a commanding influence for good upon public life, in an age which liad been described as one of open and professed disregard of religion. Christ atone could provide the emotional force which could give a sense of brotherhood to men. The old jungle Jaw of the survival of the fittest should . not bo made the supreme criterion, but inen should strive to apply a higher law, >vhich; was to be found in Christ.