The “Daily Mail” Year Book of the Churches.
This Handbook professes to deal with all the religious problems and facts of the day, and is offered for the modest price of Sixpence. We confess on reading its claims, as stated above, that we were incredulous, but after a perusal of its contents we arose with the feeling that it is one of the most interesting handbooks we ever perused, and, taking it all in all, an extraordinary work of editorial skill in the multiplicity of the facts presented and the number of vital questions dealt with. It has been described as a literary marvel, and it well deserves the description. There is scarcely a question of living interest before the Churches in Britain at the present moment but is dealt with in these pages. Short articles by leading authorities in the different Churches deal with such questions as “The Religious Life of Wales;” “The Position of the Welsh Church;” “Nonconformity in Wales;” “The Spiritual Pulse of Scotland;” “The Irish Church;” “Effect of Disestablishment and Disendowment;” “Nonconformity in Ireland,” etc. Then there are articles on “Great Religious Books;” “The English Licensing Bill;” “What the Higher Criticism means: Conclusions reached by the Critics;” “Archæological Research and the Bible;” and a useful biographical dictionary of leading divines. We have not stated one tithe of the interesting and admirable features of this Handbook. Everyone interested in ecclesiastical questions should procure a copy. It is needless to say that many of the writers occupy a position in theological thought with which we are in direct antagonism, but it is interesting to notice that the reference to the Free Presbyterian Church is all that could be desired in so short a space, and we find in one of the articles a kindly reference to our Church, where it is described “as a small body much respected for its consistency.”
The P.S.A. Brotherhood.
There have been many devices invented by the carnal wisdom of men to bring the Church and the world into friendly relationship, but surely it was reserved for the closing years of the nineteenth century and the beginning to invent a scheme that may well be termed a masterpiece in this direction. We refer to the so-called “Pleasant Sunday Afternoon” movement. Its aim, as stated by the Secretary of the organisation, “(1) to lead men and women into the kingdom of God; (2) to unite men in brotherhoods of mutual help; (3) to win masses of the people for Jesus Christ.” “The Sunday afternoon meetings are free and homely,” says Mr. Goold; and if one is to judge by the reports of some of these meetings, the freedom and the homeliness are not conducive to produce a feeling of reverence. The whole scheme, notwithstanding its expressed purpose, is based on principles of worldly wisdom for the furtherance of the kingdom of God—a combination of opposites doomed some day to feel the power of disintegrating forces.
The Jews.
The Rev. Isidore Harris, M.A., writing in the Daily Mail Year Book of the Churches, gives some interesting information about the Jews. “Two types of Judaism are represented,” he says, “in this country—Orthodoxy and Reform. Orthodox Jews, besides accepting the Old Testament as the Word of God, attach a sort of inspired authority to the Talmudical legislation of the Rabbins. Reformers do not recognise the authority of the Talmud, but follow more closely the teachings of the Bible. They have greatly simplified and modernised the ritual, and have introduced organs into their places of worship. There are three Reform congregations in England, the oldest of which is in London.
Modern Movements among the Jews.
The same writer goes on to say, “This broad distinction between Rabbinical and modern Judaism has been complicated in quite recent years by a forward movement styling itself the ‘Jewish Religious Union.’ This body holds worship on Saturday afternoons, for the recognized convenience of Jews who are compelled to attend business in the morning. The form of service is largely composed of English prayers and hymns, and the sexes sit together as in the advanced congregations in America. But there are no Sunday services, as in American Reform, and the males worship with covered heads. The distinguishing feature of the ‘Union’ is its free pulpit, in which a liberal Judaism is taught, based upon the results of the Higher Criticism. . . . But the bulk of English Jews belong to the orthodox wing, which comprises fully nine-tenths of the community, though many members of orthodox synagogues are reformers in principle.”
The Proposed Calvin Monument at Geneva.
The association organized at Geneva in 1906 for the purpose of preparing the forthcoming celebration of the 400th anniversary of Calvin has decided to mark that event by the erection, in honour of Calvin’s work, of a monument planned on broad historical lines, recalling the names and influence of the Reformers in all parts of the world. Artists of all nationalities are invited to take part in the competition which has just been opened. The drafts sent in will be examined and classified by a jury composed of the following persons, who are to dispose of 30,000 francs in prizes:—MM. A. Bartholomé, Paris; Ch. Girault, Paris; Professor Tuaillon, Berlin; Professor Bruno Schmitz, Berlin; George J. Frampton, R.A., London; Professor Gull, Zurich; Alfred Cartier, Geneva; Horace de Saussure, Geneva; the chairman of the Association du Monument de la Réformation, Geneva.
Trinitarian Bible Society.
This Society, which is doing useful work in Bible distribution, held its annual meeting at the end of the month of April. Sir Robert Anderson, K.C.B., presided. The Society refuses to circulate corrupted versions of the Holy Scriptures, such as Roman Catholic translations, though these be intended for Roman Catholics. Dr. Bullinger read an abstract of the Report. “The platform of the Trinitarian Bible Society is wide enough to embrace all who love the God-breathed Word—the Scriptures of Truth; and love the appearing of the living Word, the Christ of God; and narrow enough to keep far away all who would criticise that Word, or deny the Deity and Atonement of our beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
A Free Church “Grand Concert.”
The Eastern Argus, of Saturday, 16th May, gives a lengthy report of a “Grand Concert,” held “under the auspices of the Shettleston Free Church,” in the Hill Street Hall, where the congregation regularly worships. “The audience was a large one, and was presided over by Mr. John Barrie, who was supported on the platform by the Rev. Adam Hunter,” and others. We shall allow the report to speak for itself, and hereby supply the remainder of it, with the exception of a few sentences which we omit, but which are on a par with the rest:—
“The programme, which was, without doubt, one of the best given in Shettleston for a long time, consisted of the best local talent. Miss Tilly Cochrane, soprano, gave a most delightful rendering of ‘Love me, and the world is mine,’ while her singing of ‘The Scottish Bluebelts’ later in the evening was par excellence. Mr. Finlay Buchanan, Shettleston’s violinist, and of whom the district have reason to be proud, delighted with several violin solos. . . . The comic element was also well sustained by Mr. Jim Gribbin, whose song, ‘Never been here before,’ was received with great applause. Mr. Dave Summerhill, comedian, caught on, his appearances later in the evening taking the form of an ovation. Mr. Johnson also assisted, and that ably, in the sustenance of the lighter element of the programme. Last, but by no means least, was the sketch by Miss Houston and Messrs. Gribbin and Kennedy. The piece was entitled, ‘Bashfu’ Jock,’ and the many humorous situations presented caused hearty laughter from the audience. Indeed, to sum up the evening’s programme, the audience were between the heartiest merriment at the many amusing pieces represented and delight at the various renderings from the fine singers and players. A word of praise is due Mr. Macdonald, who was chiefly responsible for the programme. The trouble which must have been encountered in getting up such a concert deserves the richest reward, and that reward, we feel sure, will freely be given in a desire to have him in the role of concert-caterer again. He has achieved a great success, and the Free Church have much to thank him for.”
Correction.
Rev. Angus Mackay, Free Church, Kingussie, has written us, stating that it was not he, but the Rev. George Mackay, Stornoway, who moved at the last meeting of the Free Church Commission (reported in our April issue) that the Rev. G. Macarthur, B.A., from Canada, be not admitted to the Free Church. We took the report from the newspapers, which all reported in the same terms.
Valuable Booklets.
“Angus o’ the Hills” and “Geddie’s First and Last Communion,” in one booklet, neatly got up, 1d.; 1½d. post free; 9d. per doz., post free; 100, post free, 6/. “Muckle Kate,” same price. “Emilia Geddie,” 2d. post free. To be had from Miss Mackay, 85 High Street, Dingwall, N.B.