World of Religion

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 7 (Supplement)

World of Religion

By PHILEMON

TIIK discussion of Free Church participation in (ho Corona-

tion Service continues, and the question has become a live issue in religious circles. Some of the advocates <jf Free Church representation are inclined to take up a somewhat rigid attitude and to base their claim on a "right/' derived from the national character of the service and the numerical standing of the non Anglican churches. Hut. a temperate article by Principal Micklem, of Oxford, lifts the whole discussion into a higher atmosphere anil no (lmd)b represents the; view of a very large number of his fellow-churchmen. He admits that the Free; Church claim "is "not instrinsically unreasonable," but seeks another way of approach. Instead ot stithy asserting a right it is better, he says, to express a desire to share in tlio service "to the fullest extent that may be possible." 't he sacring of the King is not a civil ceremony, participation in which may be secured by the assertion of civil rights, but a solemn religious servico. Worship and Consecration it is, therefore, not to be regarded as a kind of national rally but entirely as an act of worship and consecration to the Living God. And unless this great Act is to be ordered by the State, a view unthinkable to Dr. Micklem, its arrangement must be entrusted to some one Church, and this must be the Church of England, until the time arrives when a more truly national Church, which can function as such, is brought into being.

"The Christian church can only function as one in so far as it is organised as one." What is of primary importance is that in the Ceremony the worship of Almighty God should be as iitting as possible and, adds the principal, "it matters very little who leads it." Dr. Micklem would, therefore, have no attempt to obtain some concession by asserting rights. ".Many Free Churchmen will not thank their leaders if some sop is thrown to them under political pressure or to prevent a fuss." Ho would rather make known the desire that is moving strongly in the minds of many in the Church of Scotland and the l'"rce Church of England, and leave it to the Anglican Church to make some worthy response. A unique opportunity is at hand of removing the last traces of ancient dissensions and of doing a thing that will create the atmosphere in which alone religious accord can flourish. Roman Catholic Church The Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which was re-formed and re-established by His Holiness the Pope last year, has had a long history in connection with the Kbman Catholic Church. The Academy of Lynxinn Philosophers was originally established in ltilKi and continued with varying fortunes until in 1847 it became subject to the authority and direction of the Pontiff. In 1887 the Pope confirmed the position of the Academy and accorded it his nood wishes. The action of the present Pontiff in granting the Academy a new Statute and confirming its place in connection with the Church also makes evident the attitude of the Church toward scientific research in general. It is declared that science, in so far as it is a true knowledge of things, is never in conflict with the truths of the Christian Revelation. Some may have sought in the name of a pseudo-science to create and widen a breach between advancing knowledge and the Christian Faith, but the day for that is now past. "There is hardly one who after a genuine and careful study of positive sciences continues to maintain that error." The members of the Academy number seventy, of whom thirty-three are Italians. Three British scientists have been nominated by the Pope,

namely, Dr. K. T. Whittaker, Professor of Mathemnt ies ;it Kdinburgh, Lord Rutherford, of Cn lubridge, and Sir Charles Sherrington, of Oxford. Ot these tlie first named alone is a member of llie Roman Catholic Church. The editor of the New Zealand Baptist, commenting on the Royal Abdication, takes "occasion to express uoine valuable truths about the marriage relationship. In reply to the question why marriage was made so grave an issue as to require the renunciation of a splendid throne, he says that "it is entirely in the interests of the State, no less than of religion, that normal marriage should be regarded as a most sacred covenant." Fast sets mayfinake light of its sanctity but "from soiled lives homes cannot bo built nor healthy children born."

The Hnglish, in spite of insidious influences at work, hold tenaciously to t.lk' Christian idea of the home as the sanctuary of life, and now that the national crisis is past "it belongs to us to order our lives in such wise as w ill secure our homes from the throats and alarms c>t militant paganism." The correspondence in the Huk.w.d on the problem of the half-empty church, has at least this value, that it shows how little many people who attend church are seized with the gravity of the issues. Churches are empty, wo are told, because the clergyman speaks in an assumed voice, or because the light is dim and w orship|>ers cannot read their hymn books and so on. Are there no ill-attended churches where "tho minister speaks naturally and where the conditions of worship are all that can be desired? A Deeper Cautc

The cause lies far deeper, it has been long at work, and whatever may bo done to meet it, success will'not bo reached in a decade, perhaps not even in a half-century. The vast number of those outside the churches are there because they have either never attended at all or because they have lost the desire to attend. In the abounding leisure and material privilege of to-day they have grown spiritually insensitive and arc becoming even more indifferent.

The advances of scientific knowledge and the practical materialistic philosophy of life, which has so many advocates are, so the, man in the street thinks, undermining the truths of religion. He will tell you that the Church herself has grown uncertain, that the minister is hesitant and silent on many matters, and that the average churchgoer only half believes, as his life well shows.

Space forbids more than a cursory reference to the sad position, but few thinking' men will diagnose it otherwise. The one remedy, as wo see it, lies in the Church closing its divisions, concerting its schemes, patiently year after year taking its oospel to the doors of the people she lias lost, by affectionate personal appeal, the circulation of attractive and effective literature, the greatly improved use of wireless, and generally by showing that she is deeply troubled, as her Master was, that the flock is scattered and the sheep without a shepherd. Such work is less spectacular than the holding of great missions and it demands more sustained effort than an occasional "Come to Church" Sunday, but it is the only way, and in the long run, it will succeed. Loyal Salvationists Mrs. Bratnwell Booth and her daughter, Commissioner Catherine Booth, are continuing to give loyal service to the Salvation Army under the new General. They take a prominent part in the Women's Social work, in which over 700 women officers arc engaged and upon which £'153,000 was spent last year. The Emperor of Abyssinia was welcomed at a Free Church luncheon at the City Temple recently, and in concluding a pathetic address, he referred to his country as a crucified land, "is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by," were his iast words.

We acknowledge with thanks a copy of The Torch, the monthly publication of the Auckland Unitarian Church. It contains an able article by the Rev. Cyprus Mitchell on "The Religious Quest and Unitarianism."