World of Religion

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 7 (Supplement)

World of Religion

By PHILEMON

THE draft plan of a United Church, cabled in considerable detail from London, and sponsored by prominent leaders of the Anglican and Free Churches, is a conspicuous sign of the steadilygrowing desire for reunion which is so striking a feature of religious life to-day. The appalling weakness of a divided Church in face of the present situation and the indifference with which her witness is received are compelling wise men to go fatalong the path of conciliation and concession, and to put secondary things in their subordinate place.

The broad outline of tlie scheme is sufficiently indicated and it is in general agreement with proposals that have been made at various times in the past, but the details will be awaited with interest. The doctrinal dillerences in the way of consummating such a union are less serious than is often supposed, for it is not in her essential message that the Church is most seriously divided, it is when the questions of tiie Church and the Ministry, of Keordination und the Sacraments, are discussed that the sharpest differences of view disturb the round table conference, and often no agreement can be found. Oil these matters and others the information afforded is slight, and yet the whole acceptance of tho scheme depends on what is proposed. Cause of Division

The Lambeth Conference of. 1!J20 in its historic "Appeal to All Christian People" describes the cause of division as lying deep in tho past, and as being in part justifiable. It declines to call in question the spiritual reality of the ministries of non-episcopal Churches. It acknowledges that these ministries have been manifestly owned of Clod as effective means of grace. It finds that "self-will, ambition, and lack of charity" have been principal factors iu perpetuating disunion and frankly accepts a share in the unhappy story. The time, it declared, had come for "an adventure of goodwill and, still more, of faith," in which the "creative resources" of God might beget a united Church, elastic enough to include whatever is distinctive and valuable in the methods of worship and work of all the uniting communions, and yet effective as a means of giving a new spiritual leadership and an arresting message. Higher Guidance at Work These noble sentiments were given expression to nearly twenty years ago ami they reappear to-day as underlying the draft plan which has arrested tho attention of tho Christian world. Wo may well believe that a Higher Guidance is at work and that wo are approaching a momentous step forward in the history of British Christendom.

At last the Nazi authorities have taken their courage in their hands and are bringing l)r. Niemoller to trial in February after an imprisonment of six months. Ho is a foremost pastor of tho Confessional Church, a son of tho manse, and a personality of distinction

MOVE TOWARD CHURCH REUNION

beyond tho borders of his country. One who knows him well describes the man. There is nothing of the cleric about him as lie swings down the street clad in his suit of navy blue. In demeanour ho is o typical seaman — frank, bluff, hearty. A few dashes of grey in his hair suggest that he is near mid-life. His eyes speak of daring and resolution. A war-scar slightly marks liis face. His valour as a submarine officer brought him the Iron Cross. Outspoken Message On the return of peace lack of means prevented him from emigrating to South Africa and, after employment, as a farm labourer anil on the railways, he studied for the ministry, took his degree at Minister, received a charge, and by 1931 was pastor of Dnhlem, the wealthy suburb of Berlin. His oratory and outspoken message brought crowds to his church, the congregations including members of the diplomatic service, prominent men of business and affairs, and even numbers of storm troopers.

He was originally a member of the Nazi party, but was expelled in 19M for his Iree criticism of their interference with the Church. Ho then joined the Pastors' Emergency League, an anti-Nazi groifp, and soon became one of its chief leaders. Surrounded by enemies he has refused to play for safety or to measure his words. There must be some good reason for the delay in taking strong action against him. Probably powerful influences have been at work on his behalf, for men like Dr. Schacht and Baron von Nourath are said to be favourable to him and to deprecate the reaction which would arise were he to bo dealt with severely. But it appears that the crucial hour has now come, and the impending trial may well prove a turning point in tho troubled story of the German Church and even in the history of the Third Reich. For Dr. Niemoller will not stand before his judges as merely an individual. Bather he is a storm-centre around which surges a conflict of determined men as to whether the swastika or the Cross shall prevail. Dr. Dinsdale Young The Kev. Dr. Dinsdale Young, whose death is reported by cable, ministered for over twenty years to probably the largest congregation in England at the Central Hall, Westminster, a building which scats some two thousand people and is crowded every Sunday night. It is not easy to discover the secret of his power, those who heard him were impressed by his presence, his rich, commanding voice, his gilts of exposition, his reverent conduct of worship, but in the subject matter of his addresses many were disappointed. He held to traditional views of Scripture, his theology was that of Wesley and tho Puritans, and he had little to say about social problems and our modern ills. But lie had a positive and convinced message which impressed those who look for authority in the pulpit. And more: he could deal with the conscience. In his most ordinary addresses there came unexpected thrusts that disturbed the wayward and prodigal, and many such came to his preaching.