MR CHAPPLE'S DEFENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13601, 22 May 1908, Page 3

MR CHAPPLE'S DEFENCE.

(To the Kilitor of the "Timaru Herald.") Sir, In common in» di>ul>t with many of ynur loaders I perused with a great deal of pleasure in your Tuesday * ii:suo Unreport of the defence of the Kev. J. (I. Chappie. Having lately come to South Canterbury I mi' not acquainted with the details of the dispute between the rever. end gentleman and those who are opposed to him, but I do feel pleaded and would wish to offer my thanks to him for his outspokeness. Continually we are hearing tho complaint, that the churches are poorly attended and there is a growing indifference to religion. To my mind the reason is not far to seek. While education i»> advancing and the standard of intelligence of the community growing, the teaching of the churches remains stagnant. The thought of the world has moved on and many of the old dogmas have become obsolete and lifelcw. - .story all down tlie ages .shows that forms and creeds lose their life and power as time passe*. New occasions teach new duties. Time mfcikes ancient good uncouth. He must, ever up and onward who would keep abreast of truth. An onward and upward movement is the universal law. The church is indeed in a bad way -when many of its cherished tenets meet with almost universal ridicule. 1 refer to a personal devil and a hell of torment. Again our thanks are due to Mr Chappie for dealing with the vexed question of .Socialism. All will allow that there is need for improvement ill social conditions. Who then should deal with the matter if not the Church leaders? If there are unjust loss and unequal social conditions, surely the pulpit should not be decent about them. 1 venture to think that had we more frequent reference from ine pulpit to live questions, there would be less need for the introduction of sensational revivalism in order to create inteuest and draw attendance. Mr Chappie will no doubt have to suffer for his boldness. but I for one sincerely trust he will not allow himself to be" silenced.— "1 am etc.. NO .STAGNATION.