A Socialist Theatre.—Four members of the Government are, according to press reports, supporting a scheme for the establishment of a Socialist Theatre in London, in which the first step is to be the production of plays in West End theatres on Sabbath nights. The members of Government involved are Mr S. O. Roberts (Minister of Pensions); Mr J. R. Clynes (Home Secretary); Mr George Lansbury (First Commissioner of Works); and Sir Charles Trevelyan (Minister of Education). The theatre is bad enough on week days, but it is unspeakably bad on the Sabbath. It is deplorable to find responsible Ministers of the Crown countenancing such a project, and it bodes ill for the education of the country when we find the Minister of Education lending his influence to such a scheme.
General Smuts on African Missions.—The famous South African soldier and statesman, who came recently on a visit to this country, made reference on two occasions to the influence of Missions in Africa. In his Rhodes Memorial Lecture at Oxford, the General said the Christian missionary, after a century, has not yet succeeded in making any deep impression on Africa. In the powerful address he delivered on “Livingstone and After” to the Royal Geographical Society (Glasgow Centre) at Glasgow, General Smuts was much more lavish in his praise of missionary influence. “Missionary enterprise,” he said, “with its universal Christian message and its vast educative and civilising effort, is, and remains, the greatest and most powerful influence for good in Africa.” We believe there is much truth in this statement, but what does General Smuts mean when he says: “Africa will be a place of refuge, a temple set apart where the human spirit can once more practice nature worship and enjoy peace and quietude.” This looks like unabashed paganism. If we take the words at their face value what was the use of the tremendous sacrifices made by Moffat, Livingstone, and others of that noble band who opened up the Dark Continent for the message of the Gospel.
The Passing of the Princeton Theological Review.—Under this cross-heading the “Presbyterian” (Philadelphia) refers to the cessation of this notable theological periodical. Princeton stood for the defence of the Reformed faith as set forth in the Westminster standards. The Review which has now ended its career was a common meeting-place for scholars throughout the English-speaking world who valued these doctrines. It is true, owing to its scholarly nature, it had but a comparatively limited constituency. Under the able editorship of Prof. Allis, who is one of the faculty of the new Westminster Seminary, the Review increased in circulation, but evidently, owing to changes at Princeton, it is not intended to continue the Review. Meantime the new Seminary at Philadelphia is making good progress. It has five professors—Robert Dick Wilson, Oswald T. Allis, A. B. Kuiper, C. Van Til, and J. Gresham Machen, with three instructors—Paul Woolley, Allan A. Macrae, and N. B. Stonehouse. There are 52 students attending.
Fenwick Church.—The destruction by fire of this ancient building at the end of November is an event that has called attention to the place in which William Guthrie, the noted Covenantering minister, preached. It was built in 1643, the year in which the famous Westminster Assembly began its sittings. It was while at Fenwick (pronounced Fennick) William Guthrie wrote his famous book—”The Christian’s Great Interest”—the fame of which has travelled far beyond the parish where it first saw the light. Fortunately copies of the book can still be had new and second-hand. A very nice edition was published in Messrs Melrose’s series, Books of the Heart, a number of years ago, and may still be had from these publishers. Fenwick and Anwoth occupy an honoured place in the annals of Scottish Church history—the former rendered famous by William Guthrie and the latter by Samuel Rutherford.
Useful and Interesting Booklets and Pamphlets.—The serious inroads which Modernism is making in the Sabbath School is ably and pungently set forth by Mr A. H. Carter in his “Modernism: the Ruthless Destroyer of Child Faith” (“The Bible Witness,” Runnimeade, Hounslow, Middlesex, price 6d). It is high time Christians were awakening to this terrible menace. The new School Bible is further evidence of the same evil. The following useful pamphlets have been issued by the Sovereign Grace Union, 98 Camberwell Grove, London, S.E. 5:—”The Church,” by Bishop Ryle (2d); “England’s Memorial,” by Joseph Irons (2d post free); and “The Holy Bible,” by Pastor J. K. Popham. The Sovereign Grace Union is doing good work in publishing and circulating such literature. Mr A. H. Pounds, Baptist Minister, 67 Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, writes us, saying that the excellent leaflets of J. Dickie, Irvine, some of which appeared in our Magazine, and which were printed at the expense of his brother, Mr Thomas Pounds (who has now entered on his rest) may be had from himself gratis at the above address with the necessary amount to cover postage.