RELIGION JUSTIFIED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20039, 4 March 1927, Page 10

RELIGION JUSTIFIED

A GREAT MORAL FORCE. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, March 3. ‘T£ organised religion were blotted out tho world would fit onco degenerate, and in far less than a century become hell,’’ said the Rev. Dr H. Ranston in bis presidential address at the annual Methodist conference this evening. Dr Ranston said the Great War had falsified many expectations in that it did not begot a regenerated world. Signs were indeed not wanting of an increasing social passion and the growth of spiritual idealism. There was also abundant proof of tho existence of a great deal more real goodness than some people believed, and immence forces were being released which made for spiritual reconstruction and regeneration. Nevertheless, many elements in the life of to-day were disquieting. All round was a swirl of rising dissatisfaction. From the Christian point of view international affairs disturbed the conscience. At Home was a growing unrest and passion for low pleasures, tho loosening _ of moral restraints and an increasing distaste for tho simple pleasures of home life. Yet, Dr Hanson continued, a deaf car should be turned to the croakers who said that the church was decadent and a spent force. It ivas still within the churches and not outside them that were seen the most powerful forces that made for moral and spiritual progress.