World of Religion

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22468, 11 July 1936, Page 7 (Supplement)

World of Religion

]V/[R. 0. F. ANDREWS, while in Auckland,, addressed the Ministers' Association and others, giving his impressions of his visit to New Zealand. He stated that ho could not but contrast the light-heartedness of the young people with the deadly seriousness of the student population of Oxford and Cambridge. He would like to see in New Zealand a more real appreciation of tlio fact that the civilised world stands on the very edge of an abyss, and in England a little moro lightheadedness in tho English Universities. The visitor also said that in tho University Colleges of New Zealand there is not the same central placo given to religion, lie would like to see religion take its proper share in the educational programme of the Dominion. Moreover, lie would urge upon the churches the necessity of drawing together and of bearing united witness tq the uplifting power of the Gospel of Christ. Presbyterian Maori Mission Sister Edith writes in tho Outlook of June 15 of 21 years' work among the Maori people. Whereas in 1915 there was but one station, in the TaupoTaumarunui district, to-day thero are four —tho additional stations being in the Bay of Plenty, in Hawke's Bay and in Tuhoe. There is also a Maori Girls' College in Turakina, and a new college at Marton for Maori Girls. A Maori church is .growing up with its native members and ministers, and also a Maori service book. Dr. Kagawa has recently been lecturing in the United States. Tho desire to hear him has been so great that Kagawa finally reached a point whero he had to call a halt. Before that point had been reached, lie had actually been trying to speak as much as eleven hours and forty-five minutes a day. His meetings will almost certainly result in winning many recruits for tho co-operative movement which Kagawa is seeking to build up in every land. Dr. Kagawa is attending tho World's Sunday School Convention, which opened in Oslo, Norway, on Monday last. Strong Convictions Dr. F. W. Norwood recently closed his ministry at the City Temple—after having occupied the pulpit for about 15 years. He is to conduct evangelistic missions throughout Great Britain. "1 liavo always been a wanderer," he said in his closing sermon, "an individualist, a bundle of mysticism, a dreamer of dreams. I have only a few convictions which are strong enough and clear enough to take mo anywhere—to the stake if necessary." Dr. Howard Somervell is a most distinguished medical missionary in India. Speaking recently in London, at the conclusion of a furlough, lie said: "With the recent events in Abyssinia in mind, I confess to a feeling of shame as I return to India bearing the Christian name. I'm going back, not as a superior person conferring a favour on a backward country, but as a servant of India, to love her." The Christian Cinema Council The demonstrations of religious films referred to in this column last week inado a deep impression upon all present as to the possibilities of the cinema as an auxiliary to the work of the churches. It was felt that in future the churches must do more to secure, in the "secular cinema" a sound morality and a high idealism, and to learn the art of converting as much of tho

By PHILEMON

Gospol as they can into this new universal "language." Half the population of Great Britain is found in the picture houses every week. The leaders of tho Christian Cinema Council believe that in a tew years the enterprise will pay its own way, hut that in the meantime ft largo capital sum will be needed if films are to be produced which can stand, in artistic value, beside the best iilms of the picture house, and can, in convincing power, surpass them. The Rev. Thomas Fee, of Opawa, Christchurch, has marked his BGth birthday by issuing for private circulation a collection of forty "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs." All but five have been written during the last three years. Mr. Fee was for many iyears a prominent Methodist minister, and a powerful leader of Temperance forces in the Dominion. Dr. Dinsdalc Young's Ministry Tho Church of England will shortly begin tho demolition of its Church House in Westminster, London, in order to erect a more ample block of buildings. For some two years tho Church Assembly and tho lower House of the Convocation of Canterbury will meet iti the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster. This hall has been made famous by the long ministry of Dr. Dinsdale Young, who preaches every Sunday evening to a congregation of over 3000 people. The hall was built out of a Million Guinea Fund raised at tho beginning of the century. The British and Foreign Bible Society is arranging for a display of old and rare Bibles in Auckland next month. The display will bo made in a shop window in Queen Street, and is sure to create great interest. One Biblo to be shown is 700 years old. . Dr. Barnado's Homes At tho recent annual meeting of Dr. Barnado's Homes, held in London, tho report showed that 118,113 destitute boys and girls had entered the homes up to December 31 last. Over 8000 children were then in residence —surely the world's largest family. The King and Queen Mary are patrons, and the Duke of York is the president. In the National Children's Homo and Orphanage, founded by Dr. T. B. Stephenson, there aro over 4000 children being cared for. The New Zealand Baptist for June reports that arrangements have been made for tho publication of the life of tho late Rev. J. W. Kemp, of tho Tabernacle. A self-denial effort made throughout Baptist churches in the Dominion for the mission work being carried on in Fast Bengal raised nearly £2500, an amount exceeding by hundreds of pounds anything that has been given before. Simultaneous Mission A simultaneous mission, arranged by the Ministers' Association, has recently been held in Whangarei. The mission was carried on in five churches at once, and at the end of tho week a great united thanksgiving service was held in the Presbyterian Church. A similar enterprise is to be carried through in Auckland city and suburbs in August. Tho various denominations will hold their own missions in tho week August 16-23. After some united gatherings the following week there will bo a great united rally on Sunday, August 30. Several speakers from other centres will come to Auckland for tho mission.