RELIGION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 27, 3 February 1939, Page 5

RELIGION

Additions to Hodder and Stoughton’s shilling library keen coming out with ever-enriching contributions to Christian thought and experience. Books beyond the pockets of manyarc brought within their compass byreprint, while several are published at this low figure on their first appearance. “THE MAKING OF A PIONEER,” by those two intrepid missionary travellers, Mildred Cable and Francesca French, is an instance of the reprint. Thus to thousands more this explorer and pioneer, scholar and evangelist, Percy Cunningham Mather, will become an inspiration through the vivid story of his strenuous lite for others in Christ. There was much in the way of adventure in this man’s pioneering in Mongolia, in perils oft and in final disappointment and seeming failure yet the spirit of Mather marches on in Mongolia and through the world by means of this book.

Despite the host of books about the Bible, there is always room for more. “THE LIGHT OF THE BIBLE,” byVernon F. Storr, Sub-Dean of Westminster, is aptly introduced to us by a quotation from Stanley Baldwin. “We seem to spend so much of our time in this world carrying on our struggle in the twilight or in fog: friendg. and men who ought to be friends, hitting blindly in the melee and wounding men who are, or ought to be, their brothers. Nothing but the light which comes from that Book can lighten that twilight or dispel that tog." The world of our day undoubtedly needs such such light, yet Dean Storr has to devote a chapter to its neglect. The main theme is to show how the Bible has become a new book with a still more authoritative note as the result of modern scholarship and research. The main highways ot Scripture are traversed, then we are taken into some byways and finally reminded of the famous stories.

Dr. Donald Soper, of Tower Hili lame, comes before us again with a vigorous apologetic written in his customary manner. “POPULAR FALLACIES ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN FAITH” is informed by firsthand knowledge of the subject, lor Dr. Soper the significant truth he finds confronting hint everywhere is that men are being compelled toward a belief in something big enough Lu give then) purpose in their own lives, and a sense of direction and powertor their corporate welfare. "I don’t believe that the greatest difficulty i: that you htwe carefully examined tnc claims of Christianity and found them unreasonable. From my experience it's much more likely that you are held up by ideas about religion, whicn you sincerely think are correct, whereas actually they are nothing better than fallacies.” In this direct and personal fashion six popular fallacies are tackled with vim, while a final chapter deals with "Telling the Good News." We regret to add that this virile protagonist is in the throes of serious sickness, and can only express our sympathy and hopes lor a speedy recovery for still more zealous advocacy of the way of life in Christ. For a book of sermons to be reprinted alter a lapse ot ten years is surely a tribute to their abiding worm. Yet one has only to dtp here and there into Dr. James Keias 'Ey TOUCH vVi'lH cftKiSi ’ to realise that in this bewildcringly shaken world there remain some tilings Luu cannot be shaken. Let us taxe, Io: example, the points of the sermon from wnich the title is taken. The .incident is tile touching ot the lepeby Christ. Lt is the toucn of unaeisianding, of inuenurication, of hope and commence. Two tnings are worm realising: we can know me toucn or Jesus to-day, and we can carry that toucn of aesus to others. / aere is always a charity of inoughl ana expression in Dr. Reid’s formulation w me theme ana subsequent exposition.

mere is nothing loose anywnerc. From tne depths ci' nis own Knowledge or the touch of cnrist ne gives us something lor our own experience uy appropriation. “METHODISM CAN BE BORN AGauv is prouably tne most challenging anu stimulating hook W. l Sangsu-r nas written, n is primaril, "to me people calieu rviuvaotusis, wim much aucction anu warm graULUUv dul in deep concern ’; yet au xeasi onleader wna is not a iviethodisi lounu it a penetrating message ror himseu and others. 10 say tnat ivlr. Gang-

ster is a man with tne courage or his convictions is not adequate in tne face of this "brave and disturbing book. It takes the happenings of May 24, 1738, in that room in Aldersgate street, when John Wesiey was converted, went out to tnng his leg across the back of a horse, and rode out to save England, into relationship with the situation to-day. "Shallow optimists, no doubt, will mouL, their bright platitudes, and rebuke us for our ‘pessimism.’ They are not to be tolerated. Optimism has some superficial resemblance to Christian faith, but it has no root. It is an insufferable counterfeit; it ignores the realities of the situation; it is bland and fiddles while Rome burns; it will even deny that there is a fire. Christian faith looks facts squarely in the face, and insist upon the truth even when it hurts.” Mr. Sangstcr operates with precision, and without any opiate to relieve the pain, and 'then proceeds to those remedial I measures that he feels the situation calls for. One would desire with inl tense earnestness to have this little ■book in the hands and on the coni sciences of ministers and leaders in 'all the churches.

i John Maillard is an Anglican minister who believes passionately that |Christ's command to his disciples to heal the sick is still binding upon us. Two yeafjs ago’ he opened the Home of Divine Healing at Milton Abbey, m Dorset. In “MIRACLES OF FAITH” he tells with simple phrasing and transparent sincerity how the conviction grew within him of home, and of the dream “to establish a quiet retreat in the country, where the calm of Christ’s love would fall on bruised minds; where, in tranquility, mentalin valids would oe healed through prayer and faith. Now this dream has flowered into reality at Milton Abbey.” But Mr. Maillard is not content merely to describe that sequestered retreat and some of the happenings there; he takes us far afield and into vicious environments to show the Great Physician at work. Does God send sickness? The nature

of calamity; the conquest of fear: suffer the little children; of such: does he write in the light of his cx-i perience and work. In the final chap-; ter: “If Christ came back,” the thesisis that faith and prayer are the prac- j tical solutions in the healing of ah | ills in the body politic as well as the-! individual. “Miracles of Faith” is not |an excursion into devout desires but a record of glowing realities.