SUNDAY CIRCLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14359, 31 October 1908, Page 4

SUNDAY CIRCLE.

A STARRY TRINITY. o There is a. star that, lieams 011 earth v Willi tender, lovely ray; t That lights tht? paih of generous worth v And speaks a brighter day. c "l'is friendship. x There is a tie—a golden chain— ' That hinib with stroneor hand !, Than iron shncklrs of t.he cell, J Or all the arts of man. { It. is love. There is a gein--a pearl of worth— As Jaf.-tin.jr a 5 the skies; s Moro dazzling than the _ gems of earth, j Jls splendour never dies. . , it. is init.il. i Three angel spirits; evermore ' They guard our thorny way; ' And these who follow where they lead c Can never go astray. I Fcr Clod hath given them alike t To childhood and to youth; t And age is inellowetl bv the tench j Of Friendship, I.ove, and Truth, ) I DEVOTIONAL. I Supplication. ] Forgive. Iho-a that are out, 1 of the way, 1 and bring them hack to the Shepherd and ' Bishop of lho.ii- souls. Forgive those that i do not forgive us. If wo havo made any j our enemies by our own misconduct, give us repentance therefor. If any hate in | without ca-uVe, give them repentance and i lis love. May we bear.about with us tho f spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ bo effectually < that tho light of His attribute.; shall ho ; manifest, in us—the same patience, tho ; anio affection, tho fame fidelity, the same • love, the same purity, Guide Thv people I through tho wildnorness. Fulfil Thy pro- ' nitsea to them. May they walk in green 1 pastures and by (he side of 'till waters. 1 And we bescec-h of Thee that when Thou 1 hast served Thyself with us in this mortal J life, Thou wilt I>3 pleased, through in- ' finite mercy, to take us to Thyself, wliero sin shall he but a sad memory, and whero 1 holiness shall be otiv joy for evermore. Amen.—Henry Ward Bcccher. Meditation - . PEACE IN THE SOUL. ' Is it- the inward life wliero peaeo is lacking? Blessed aro they who, in their own lives, contend for that harmony which is ' salvation, lint, first, there is not peace, but- a .sword. " One thing -thou Jackcst," i.iid Christ lo the rich young rulor; "go, j sell ail that t.liou hast, and give to' tho poor," and "he went- away sorrowful, for ho ha,d great possessions." Bui t.he great Peacemaker lied laid His hand upon him. The struggle had begun in his soul, and tho Church dings to tho tradition which declares that Jie know at .last tho harmony of God and tho peace which passeth -understanding. So with every man that, knowing his own need, at last humbics himself, and renouncing sin, " makes his peaco with God." Blessed av.a. iho peacemakers.—F. Lewis Donaldson, M.A. Exhortation*. WHO IS THE TIlAITOIi? Do you forget that every time you betray the right, you betray the Christ.? Do you forget that every time yon betray the right in your own home, in your business, in your fcoe.icly, you betray Emmanuel as fully as Judas betrayed Him? Though you do it in tho daintiest way, and with tho calmest grace, yet every time you Wound Christ's cau. ; o you sell your Lord and hand Him over to the world. You may oven betray Him in your church service with your far too gorgeous ceremonial. Should there lie any forgiveness fcr men and women who aro betraying t.he right, as we are betrayiiiy it. daily, by not standing up for it- and baring our back for tho burden? Should there? As long as a kiss stands as the symbol of levo with pure 'Women awl holy men, that kiss of Judas will lr© considered t.he basest, of treachery; and it. should remind us that when we betray t.he l-ight. wo betray tho Christ ourselves. That, is the lcraon.—Rev. Edwin I'yper (Beifast). A STRIKE ON A MISSION FIELD. NATIVE PREACHERS DEMAND MORE MONEY. The mania for "striking" (writes an occasional correspondent of tho Pall Mall Gazette) seems to bo -tending to spread throughout the most remote region?, and is boing manifested in totally unexpected quarter.?. It is even affecting tjke mission field and invading Gospel work. Tho missionaries of the Noukirchcn Missionary Society, n. famous Continental society, have sent homo a. curious communication. An excellent work Jias been in progress in East Africa, for some years amongst. .the natives, many of whom .liavo been civilised and converted to Christianity. But recently all tho native helpers of the mission on the banks of tho Tana River went on strike, demanding an increase of wages. They alleged that their allowances of 12 rupees a. month were, insufficient. But. the missionaries carefully investigated the conditions, taking into account the cost of living and of commodities. Tlie.y came to tho conclusion that the wages were, fair and Biißieie.nl, seeing that these njtive helpers do so little work in connection with the mission that they ,havo abundance of time for the cultivation of thei-r fields a.nd their gardens. The religious work of these Christian native - helpers consists in preaching tvrieo eao'i Sunday, in cateehising the young people ; twice a week, in holding devotional exorcises every morning for 20 minutes, and in tca-ching secular Kulijpcls in the sdicols one hour cacsi day. • The niisionaries lield out ' firmly a,gainst, tho demand /or larger ' salaries by their African assistants, refusing ' to continue negotiations till a better spirit was shewn. The strikers .have accordingly [ sent an energetic appeal, to tho head- ' quarters in Germany. This crcatcs no im-pro-rsioii whatever in their favour, as it, f cannot he listened to cgainst the decision l of Iho missionaries, who possess tho fullest. . confidence of the society and are a most devoted and trustworthy set. of agents. Some of the more intelligent African Cln-is- ; tjans, and also some of these German mis- : sionaries, are in favour of employing nalivo '• helpers for their full time and'increasing their --alaries with the aid of the native • congregations which have 'hitherto k-een [ doing exceedingly little towards the sup- ; port of their -own prcachers and teachers.

ABOUT PEOPLE. Dr F. E. Clark, ihe founder of the Christian Endeavour movement, has greatly benefited in health by his voyage and his Continental holiday, and is now as active and vigorous as over, and looking forward .to his tour in Great Britain. With Mrs Clark he has been visiting the Protestant Mission* of Northern Italy. Mrs Clark is gathering information for a forthcoming handbook on missions in the Latin, countries.

Gipsy Smith hps been praising his old chief. General Booth,' at the Winona Summer Sehool. lie is. said the Gipsy, one of Ihe most wonderful men God ever gave lo tho world, who, with his band of consecrated followers, has belted the globe with a. golden eabie of songs of salvation, and wili take tens of thousands from tho slums and sewers of eily life, to walk the streets of the. New Jerusalem in white.

Tlio Bishop of London lias promised to take tiie chair at. Mr John 1!. Jlott's Albert Ilall meeting in November. Mr Mott is one of the mast atrnctive fijturos in (he. American religions world, a man of splendid presence, exuberant vitality, ami sympathetic cluirm of maimer. He has probably done more Ihan any Christian leader of liis age to inspire volunteers among the educated classos for foreign missionary service.

General Booth lias had a triumphal lour through Cape Colony, the Transvaal, Orange River Colony, suid Natal. At Durban he held one of the most extraordinary meetings of all his wonderful career- 5000 dusky Zulus crowding to hear one whom they de»cribpd to each other as lhe "Great. White Uinfumli." The General was to conduct a series of religious services' in the district round Capetown, leaving for England about Ihe middle of October,

The Rev. Krnest F. Scott, If.A., B.A. (Oxon.), of the South United Free Church, J're-twiek. who recently accepted an invitation to become Professor of Cliurcli History in Queen's University, Kingston. Canada, lakes up his new duties carlv in October, his lectures to students in Canada commencing about the middle of November. Mr Scott's departure is keenly regretted by his congregation at Prestwick. among whom lie lias laboured for 13 years.

The announcement of flic approaching resignation of Dr Llewelyn Dayics, vicar

RELIGIOUS READING FOE THE IIOMEi

of Kirkby Lonsdale, reminds us that this venerable and distinguished clergyman belonged to the! great race of Alpine pioneers who in lilt) lilties and sixties of the last century scaled the chief mountains of the various Alpine ranges. Ue was a comrade of 'J'ynclall, .Whymper, Alfred Wills, and Charles Hudson. His own great lirst. ascents were those of the Doni and laschliorn. Dr Davies was an original member of the Alpine Club. s Professor Moulton, of Chicago University, has heen giving a series of very interesting lectures on Bible study 'in his native town. Preston, ancl'has also delivered his famous Interpretative Recitals of the linolc of Job" at the Livorpol Central Hall. A writer in ' the Methodist; Recorder says:—"No adequate idea can be given of the combined skill and reverence with which Profesor Moulton interpreted this magnificent drama." Though 1 have never heard Professor Mfjulton lecture on the Bible, I have long known and loved his chief book, Shakespeare a3 a Dramatic Artist." He ranks with the foremost Shakespeare critics, and no one who lias read bis wonderful chapters cm "Richard J1I" "Othello." and "The Merchant- of Venice " will be likely 1o regard him with any other feelings than . those of udiniration and gratitude. Mr na.rry Lauder, the Scottish humorist, who appeared before t.he King by special commanda't Rnfford Abbey recently, is one of the music ha!l "stars" whose income makes that of tho Prime Minister pale into insisinifieano.P. Ho sings Scotch songs characterised 'by 'humour of the pawky type, hut ailwavs essentially clean and free from objectionable elements. Mr Lauder, who was-originally,a miner, began his career as an entertainer-by singing tw6 songs—for five shilling,;—at a concert; now he earns something apni-onching £1000 a week. Mr Lauder, isnti.l qu-ito recently, wlion ha-moved-to'North London, was a scatholdor at Tooting Presbyterian Church. Tlie name of Dr Ilorton is suggested by a. cori-cspondont, cf the Christian World lor tho prmeipabhip Of Mansfidd 1 College, Oxford, which, will become vacant at tho retirement, of Di; Fairbairn.' There is much in the proposal whieli is likely to commend itself to Congirogationalists; while a few obvious objections suggest -themselves. It is not known whether Dr Hort.cn would consent to relinquish his great position at Hampstead for tl'.o lroro 'restricted academical sphere at Oxford. . Considering Jiow qniek.ly able young ministers are nowadays sidetracked into professorships, it. has been a mcst fortunate thing for the Ixmdon c-huiehca that Dr Ilorton has chosen to e.vereiso his influence thoough the pulpit. In point of scholarship Dr Ilorton would ho an ideal sucozs-ci" to Principal Fairbairn, though .ho is perhaps a Ices profound theologian. It is true, as tho correspondent say.;, that " lo niipoint any doubtful man. or one little known to our elnirchcs, would be a most fatal mistake." *

Rev. G. J. Williams, wlio has been appointed to bo assistant-agent for the London Missionary Society in-Australasia, -with tho succession to the ageing itself in March, 1911, has for the last year been tho assistant home secretary of Iho society, a.nd has shown such capacity for the work that many of the directors havo doubted the wisdom of spariDg him for the Australian service. He went to China under tho L.M.S. on leaving Hatkney College in 1892, and spent nine years in, the Far East, During Rev. A. N. Johnson's long afcsenoo on deputation work in Australasia and tho South Seas Mr AVilliams bore the heavyburden of -the homo offic*a work. He thua combinos actual experience of the mission field, with considerable experience as a proaehcr a.nd deputation, and a thorough knowledge of homo administration and somo acquaintance with tho present needs and opportunities abroad. He lias taken a prominent part in preparing for the L.M.S. missionary campaign, and tho directors are ensuring that the spirit of tho campaign shall he exicmried to the Commonwealth. He dees not. sail for Melbourne until the end of this year. PROTESTANT REUNION IN IRELAND. Signs have not keen wanting recently of a deairo for co-operation at least between tho Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in Ireland. From another quarter comes an apiifcal for church unity. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Protestant Episcopal Synod of Killala and Achowry last, week, the Bishop (Right Rev. Dr O'Suilivan) referred to tho La.mheth Conference deliverances on this question. One question had in particular, the Bishop said, engaged the earnest attention of all—the unhappy divisions amongst Protestants, especially the separation between tho Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches, It was unfortunate, and indeed humiliating, to sco Protestant. Christians—perhaps in a small place, and few in number—honouring alike tho Redeemer, having iho same sacraments holding practically the same views respecting tho Eternal Father, the Divine Son, and the Divino Sanctifying Spirit; -having an honoured and a learned ministry, and yot divded. Somo had pointed out. that whilo they of tho Episcopal Church earnestly desired reunion with the Presbyterian Church, they met. with no reciprocal fooling.- Lot them not he discouraged by that. They had much in common with Proshyterianism in their modern church system—vestries,, councils, syno:k and a General Synod, Their Boards of Nomination were well balanced, and on a democratic- basis. A union with the Presbyterian Church, the Bishop declared amid great- applause, was on its way. He firmly believed it would come. He hoped and prayed that when it did conio their conduct .and character—as n church and as individuals—might licar tho test, and might commend to the other Protestants cf 11-ohmd tho faithfulness to their common Lord cf Iho old Church of Ireland.

FROM ALL SOURCES. Some interesting statistics havo b:en published with regard to ihe declension in the number of Sunday school scholars in Glasgow and tho West of Scotland. The Wcltare ot Youth Committee of the TJ.F, Church reports a decrease for the year of 3000 over the whole denomination; 2000 from Glasgow. The Sunday Sehool Union reports a decrease in scholars of all denominations of 2700. It seems incredible that of the last-mentioned number the huge proportion of 2000 .should marls the dcclinn among tho children of tho U.F. Church.

The land of Persia has always presral-d special difficulties to the work of tho Christian missionary, and ihe recent political trouble.? them hi\vc in nn degree lessened the opposition put in the way of those seeking lo cxtoml' Ihe Kingdom of Christ, The Rev. W. 11. Walker, a missionary of Iho Church Missionary Society, writes homo complaining of the arrogant behaviour of Ihe Mullahs, who arc vorv llecidcd in their opposition lo the whools. . They tried to prevent Ihe teacher.; from coming, but this lias been cheeked by the Governor, ivho has ordered that the teachers shall not to be iirierfeivd with in their duties. However, Ihe rabble are doing their utmost by threats lo kepp the boys away. Their latest move has boe.n to go to the houses of tlvo boys am! si! jsar until they should come out. Then, they are followed and foieibly prevented from miteriivg the premise?. In other case.; tho chiefs wrote letters to the parents warning tlwm of lira danger lo their own por-soiM if they should pp.rsir.-i. in sending their sons to the " place of blasphemy."

'lhe. Guardian lia.s an intM-cst.ing note on Iho specific for longevity, offered by that veteran Congregational minister the lato Rev. Thomas [/ord. Air Lord rccom-meixlc-d "plain jiving, no alcohol, and no tobacco." The Guardian remarks: "Bomo would reduce this formula, not. without reason, to the first. two words, or. Ik-tier nil!, summarise it in the single word 'temperance.' properly umloretcod'. Doclors have maintained that as many pccplo die prematurely of orer-eating as of over-drink-ing ami there is a. well-known instance of a non-abstainer (Luigi Contaro) who lived all 'through those very inkresiing voa-rs tf lhe world's history, 1467-1566. . '.

A rule of equal Ptricine-:,: was okwveil by the laio l)r l,iir'J"av Alexander (another Congregat'onal ininisicr), who limited himself to one cigar daily lie fore going to Ix'il. Ho lived 76 yeaiv. and the genuine anti-tobacconist would doubtless aver that, but for the 'fatal cigar, lie might have lived Jo 86 or linger. A far greater smoker, in more than one sense of the word—but likewise a smoker by rule and measure — was Ilobbc.;, who aCainrd to hi- 02nd year."