BIBLICAL SCHOLAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19961, 20 November 1934, Page 5

BIBLICAL SCHOLAR

DR. MOFFATT GIVEN RECEPTION SOME WORDS OF ADVICE By Telegraph —Press Association AUCKLAND, November 19. Speaking at a civic reception, the Rev. Dr. James Moffatt, eminent Biblical scholar and translator, made a plea to New Zealanders not to make their ministers “maids of all work” as was done in the United States. Often a minister had to be almost everything. He had to be a business man and to run side shows so that he had not time to attend to his proper business. “Pray be kindly to your ministers and you will get much more out of them,” he said. One hundred clergymen attended a complimentary luncheon to Dr. Moffatt. In the course of an inspiring address Dr. Moffatt quoted with approval the advice of Dr. Gwatkin to preach about God and preach about 20 minutes. Ministers had very little time in which to speak to the people, so why should they waste it in speaking about anything but the central thing? People wanted them to preach about God. Another saying commended by Dr. Moffatt was that of Bishop Stubbs “avoid the spirit of lying, and don’t keep a dusty mind.” The Bible was more fresh to-day than ever it was, and that was largely owing to modem criticism which had made it a new book and to the spirit of the church. “Without church worship and fellowship I do not think we can understand the Bible,” he said. “Dr. MofTatt is one of the big men who belong to us ail" said Archbishop Avelill, in expressing thanks. “He could not have given us anything more helpful than he has given us today.” Dr. and Mrs Moffatt left for the south by the express this afternoon.