RELIGION JUSTIFIED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 60

RELIGION JUSTIFIED.

A GREAT AIORAL FORCE. AUCKI-AND, March 3. “If organised leligion were blotted out the world would at once degenerate, and in far less than a century become hell.’’ said the Rev. Dr 11. Ranston in his presidential address at the annual Methodist conference this evening. Dr Ranston said the Great War had falsified many expectations in that it did not beget 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 the existence of a great desft 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, the loosening of moral restraints and an increasing distaste for the simple pleasures of home life. Yet, Dr Ranson continued, a deaf ear should be. turned to the croakers who said that the church was dwadent and a spent force. It was still within the churches and not outside them that were seen the most powerful forces that made for moral and spiritual progress.