SUNDAY READING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2705, 8 January 1910, Page 3 (Supplement)

SUNDAY READING.

JOTTINGS. Mr. Percy Aldon, M.P. (England) told a good story at a stone-laying ceremony at New Southgate recently. A Negress found her way into one of the fashionable churches in New York, and was so moved by the eloquence of the preacher that she exclaimed, ‘Bless the Lord; I’ve got religion.” The verger rebuked her. “This,” he said severely, <: is not the place to get religion; this is a church.”

Dean Wace has resigned his position as a member of the Committee for revising the Prayer-Book, appointed by the Canterbury Convocation. Hj s plea is that the decision of the Lower House of Convocation last session in favor of permitting the use of the mediaeval Eucharistic vestments destroys all hope that the proposed revision will restore peace and discipline to the Church. He has no further interest in the revision of the ' Prayer-Book, and is doubtful whether it is practicable or desirable. The Dean of Windsor, to whom as Prolocutor Dean Wace communicated his desire to withdraw from the Revision Committee, has tried in vain to shake Dr. Wace’s decision. He repeats that the decision of the House on the question of vestments “has destroyed the only basis on which the work of the committee could lead to a satisfactory result.”

The Committee of Privileges of the English Wesleyan Methodist Church has again recorded its condemnation and detestation of the cruel wrongs inflicted upon the natives of the Congo in the interests of selfish greed, and under the immediate responsibility of their European Governors. The committee has expressed grave concern at the fact that the annexation of the country by Belgium has brought no abatement of these evils, and that Great Britain, as one of the signatories of the Berlin Act, is seriously mised by their continuance. The committee, while thanking his Majesty’s Government for refusing to recognise the annexation, earnestly urges .the adoption of positive measures for bringing to a speedy end outrages uponjiberty and life which are depopulating the country, and dishonouring the name of Christianity and of civilisation.

American exchanges give some interesting information as to the attitude of the President of the United States, towards the Roman Catholic Church. He was present with Bishcp Carroll on September 27th at the laving of a foundation stone of a Catholic College at Helena, Montana and on the occasion expressed himself as follows: —“It gives me great pleasure indeed to participate in the laying of the corner s'tone of this and other educational institutions. We are liberal enough in this country to assist in the promotion of the work of all religious denominations. The college you are building here will be a blessing to Helena and to the whole Hate of Montana. The only trouble is we have not institutions enough of this kind in the United States. Though not of your faith, I cannot help but appreciate the good work your church is doing in this country*. lam intimately acquainted with many members of the hierarchy, and I must say that our relations have always been most pleasant. I feel at home among them. I feel honored in being asked' to take part- in this ceremony, the laying of the corner stone of what is undoubtedly destined to be a great educational institution, and I wish you God-speed in the completion of that institution.”

General Booth’s return to (public work has been hailed' with enthusiasm by his Annv. He recently addressed 4000 of his' followers at tb e Congress Hall, Clapton, speaking for an hour and a half with ~ inexhaustible vigor, fire, and humor. He gave an amusing reason for his prompt abandonment of liis motor tour when he found his eyes were affected. “I want to begin with goggles again,” he said: “wl think of the song of the milkmaid, ‘My face i s my fortune.’ On a motor campaign and off, my face is my fortune' —it is" a fortune to the Salvation Army!” He had lost the use of one eye, he continued’, and the other eve was imperfect. But a doctor had told him it might last twenty years. Loud cries of “Halleluiah!” greeted these remarks. Tlie General said he might live to see his prophesy come true—that the authorities of the world —Governments, national, municipal, and otherwise —would ultimately turn to the Salvation Army and say, “We cannot do anything with these criminals, lost people, unfortunate children, and starving paupers. You know how to do it; you employ religion.”

There have been great demands for Methodist ministers in Canada. Such have been the great enlargements and increase of population that a few montlig ago there were openings for at least a hundred men. So far, the Rev. Dr. Woodswork, Canada’s agent, had secured sixty-three suitable young ministers in Great Britain, and these have sailed for their destinations. Others were expected to follow shortly. Reports on the work of others, sent some time ago into the field from England, were eminently satisfactory. “As far as you can discover, is there in America anything like the theological unrest that we have in England, due to the impact of criticism, science, and modern ideas generally on the old theology and' views of the. Bible?” This question was put to the Rev. J. H. jowett, of Birmingham, on hig recent return from America. He replied: “I should say that the ministry in America is more troubled and disturbed than the ministry of our own country. Many ministers in America seem to be just entering into a period from which most of our men are emerging. I dare say I met the more conservative ministers, and it is to them that my remark most applies.” “What impressions did you form of American preaching?” “You will understand that 1 had few opportunities of listening to American preachers. My conversation with scores of American ministers led me to suspect that the great lack in general preaching is exposition. The methods of exposition illustrated by the English and Scottish preacher's at the conventions almost startled the American ministers. I should say that topical preaching is overmuch in vogue. Subjects are taken, and then a text is searched ‘or as a motto, but -expository preaching of the type, say, of Dr. Dale, appears to be almost non-existent. But here again it ought to be added 1 that American ministers are feeling that a return is necessary to exposition if the best- results of preaching are to be secured. ’