The WORLD of RELIGION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21966, 24 November 1934, Page 9 (Supplement)

The WORLD of RELIGION

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It is an enrichment of our scholarship and theological learning that we should have a man of Principal Dickie's standing in the Dominion, and his moderatorial address from the chair of the recent Presbj'terian Assemblj T was one of those able and competent pronouncements which help to form the minds of thinking men. In the earlier part of the address he discusses the question of the authority of the Bible as the Word of God to man. His opinion is that scholarship gives no support to extreme views, either conservative or liberal; but he is clear that the pre-critical teaching generally current a century ago can never be rehabilitated. "What is popularly known as Fundamentalism is still held by isolated scholars .... but they make no new converts among educated persons. On the contrary, they are a fast diminishing band, while the crudities and make-shifts and misrepresentations of many of their camp-followers come perilously near to discrediting not only Holy Scripture but Christianity itself." Plain and Candid Speaking That is plain speaking from the head of a great Church and its candour will be appreciated. But, says the Moderator, at the heart of Fundamentalism there is a fear, which has real justification, that the weakening of Biblical authority following upon the acceptance of modern critical views, has led to the surrender of vital elements in the Church's faith —" elements which I myself, equally with the Fundamentalists, regard as essential to its very life." The supreme task is therefore to attain a doctrine of Biblical authority which shall refuse no recent knowledge, and yet shall safeguard the historic faith. In the view of Dr. Dickie such a doctrine " has been wrought out, or, at all events, is in Erocess of being wrought out.""" And ere is the important point to which the discussion converges—with the settlement of this important question there will conje a new alignment of the religious forces of the modern world. " The true dividing line is between a Christianity which is frankly supernatural and a reading of the message and significance of the Lord Jesus Christ which is purely humanistic." Dr. Moffatt on Worship Those who heard Dr. Moffatt on Sunday morning last were well rewarded. Not that they listened to a display of oratorical gifts or to the learning of a world-famous professor. The preacher's style was rather that of glorified talk, which easily fell into the aside and the unconventional, when some of the best things were unheard by many. But he came close to the heart with an address on the practical value of worship, which had all the point and shrewdness of a man who knows well the world, and knows something more. Worship, he said, was not an idle exercise for those who had nothing better to do. It was one of the most practical and effective things in which a man could engage. The artist might lay aside his brush and add nothing to his c/mvas, yet the day of thought and imagination was really one of intense creative activity. So too, with the general, who for days might be unseen by his troops and might command no movement, yet was brooding over plan? that should determine tremendous issues.

clued it with courage and power to face life. But said he, there is a so-called worship which deserves the scorn of the critic. It is a mere ornament, a higher pastime, a pleasant siesta in the summer-house. It leads to no practical exaltation of life. Where there is no pulse of intellectual interest in the sanctuary, no quickening of the conscience and the will, " something is wrong either with the preacher or the hearer." And amid these practical truths the preacher uttered a sentence which many must have borne away—" A man can only believe what he practices." A Methodist Centenary A celebration of importance takes place at Kawhia to-dav, when the foundation stone of the Centenary Memorial Church will be laid by the Maori '' king," Koroki Tawhiao. The Methodist Church bcggn its Mission to the Maoris under the Rev. Samuel Leigh, who arrived for that purpose in 1822 and established his work at Kaeo in the following year. A beautiful memorial church was erected there at the time of the centenary. The headquarters of the Mission were later established at Hokianga. In 1834 the work was extended southward and three missionaries, the Revs. John Whiteley, James Wallis and William Woon were appointed to Waipa, Aotea and Waingaroa respectively. The two former were delayed until the following year, but in November 1834, Mr. Woon took up his residence at Kawhia and it is the centenary of this event that is now being celebrated. A feature ot interest is that the original bell of the old Maori Church, which was removed and hidden by the natives at the time of the war, and later came into the possession of the Town Board, is to be restored by them for use in the new church. The election of a Primate of the Church of England in Australia, which will take place in March next, is already awakening much interest. At present the senior Metropolitan, the Archbishop of Perth, is acting as Primate, but it is understood that for reasons of health he does not desire the appointment. The election is by the House of Bishops which must be convened for this special purpose by the senior bishop in the Commonwealth. Thus far the Metropolitan of New South Wales has always been Primate, but the office is not confined to any one State. The appointment seems to lie between Dr. Mowll, of Sydney, who became Archbishop last year, and Dr. Head, of Melbourne, who has been Archbishop since 1929. Dr. Norwood's Welcome Home Some time ago it was reported that Dr. Norwood was somewhat fearful about the state of the City Temple finances during his absence, and also that he sometimes wondered whether his further work should not be to continue a travelling international ministry. The remarkable welcome which awaited him on his return must have fully reassured him. The great church was crowded morning and evening, and at the gathering during the week. Mr. Lloyd George presided, the Lady Mayoress supported him, the" spacious pulpit-platform was filled with Free Church ministers, and in every available corner of the great auditorium extra seating accommodation was provided. The Christian World describes Dr. Norwood's speech of half an hour as a tour de force. In a ringing climax he declared his vow to make it his lifelong aim to save the world from the degradation of war. The speech of the chairman was a powerful appeal to the Christian Church to unite in a common effort to impress the statesmen of the world in the interests of peace. " Honestly," he said, "I do not see anybody who can do it except the Christian churches."

To take time for worship, to join with others in spiritual reflection and in hearing great truths spoken about, said Dr. Moffatt, was an hour in which " the strength of God passed down into the human soul " and en-