FRIDAY AUGUST 1 1924
RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE.
CREEDS AND DOGMAS.
WHAT IS THE RESULT?.
Taking ne his text:-"What shall we do?" What must I do to be saved? Acts 236, 16.30, the Rev. C. C. Porri, C.F, in a sermon last Sunday at the Wesleyan
Church, said:,"
to authority of the Churches in matters of religion our attice to Jesus is one of respect for His authority, which to most of us is ultimate in all the concerne of the spirit.
possible, when in simple trust we take Jesus as the Saviour and Master of our life. What shall we do Doing is the surrender of ourselves to His will and purposes, He who forgives royally, restores "Controversies" write: Mr.mightily and gives divinely of His
Spirit. Wells, do not sway history as the personal teaching of Jesus sways history. The personal teaching of fesus does seem to mark a new phase in the moral and spiritual life of our race."
In the recently published "Some" Confessions of An average Man," Mr. Richard King, writes frankly about his own religious experience He found that "Religion was just As a a tiresome observance." beautiful faith to inspire each action of the humdrum daily round it was unimaginable, as it was Practical never pointed out" Christianity was never taught him, "only a dreary routine of drearyour observances.
"They were stuffed with creeds and these creeds taught them no The philosophy of conduct
spirit.which animates religious beliefs was never explained to them. They "were merely given so many essential facts mas- querading as articles of faith necessary to salvation."
They started adult life "not only without a religion but with a fury' against all those people and institutions which have religion for their inspiration."
"Dogma and ritual seem to have come between Christ and the vast multitude of men and women, who seek His consolation in those temples erected for His worship." "He watches in the Churches some more or less meaningless ritual performed as if it were necessary for salvation, not only to perform but to regard. He discovers that the Churches are, for the most part, identified with ideas and practices which for the modern man have. little or no interest and less importance."
The God' men' find in the Churches is a God that the world outside has outgrown." The Christ of the New Testament that gentic, lowly, all-loving, all-forgiv- ing deity seems nowhere to be found in this mixture of inward mysticism and
mag nificence."
19
was
"This is
|
H
first
The conflict belongs to the first decade of the history of the Church, it is actual to-day as the two quotations with which we began show.
The occasion of the reopening of the question was the progress of the Church, and the beginning of her world-wide mission.
THE CHINA MAIL.
teaching of Jesus and the first message of salvation.
At Antioce preached "Through this Man, Jes, is preached unto you the forgveness of sins, and by Himalt believe are justified, from all gs from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
The answer which Jesus gave, and it may be added that the
as by faith.
Paud but one answer and answer is in no way peculiar to the fourth Gospel, but is in
one dece. The Jew must be- harmony with the teaching of the
comes a Gentile, he too must other Gospels, reveals Jesus as the
enter to salvation as the Gentile Teacher of a system of salvation
sinner beggared of all works of original in its simplicity. The
the jar and he, too, must enter in originality of His way of salvation
by themly door, the door of faith. The supremacy and sufficiency may be understood in the light of
of fab in Jesus Christ as the the fierce antagonism which it im- mediately created and the un-
At Antioch in Syria the Church meansof salvation was in question. qualified condemnation of by the emerged from her exclusiveness The answer of the Council was a Jewish Rabbis. The Master as a sect within the Hebrew commise, since when confusion Teacher stands out in vivid con-religion and composed as members has regred in the Churches. trast as the, preacher of the faith of Jewish Christians and achieved Why must I do? The simple that saves to the Jewish teachers of the freedom of a new religion with ans "believe" was too simple, the Law as preachers of the works Jews and Gentiles and recognising, the caching of Jesus "believe' of the Law by which salvation no racial or religious distinctions. 1oboiginal, therefore was authority is achieved.
The Church " had sent forth of the past evoked to supplement Jesus confronted a proud race Barnabas and Saul on a tour of itf whose religion was national and evangelisation. St. Paul had preach- We inherit from the beginnings exclusive, a religion, with divinely ed to Gentiles in Antioch of Pisidia; of Christianity a two-fold answer sanctioned laws, traditions and many had believed and were to he question of our text. customs, with Temple, priesthood. added to the Church. Antioch That they are irreconcilable and altars, a religion with shighly approved when she heard that may occur to the few but not to complicated machinery of salva-God had opened the door of the many. Our most important tion.
faith to the Gentiles."
opinions, those which have to do 'He will return to the Church The answer of Judaism to our Jerusalem remained the centre with traditional and moral sanc when the Church places itself in question was " Do this and İlve.”
of Jewish Christianity and Antiochons are rarely the result of Jesus fuined to a people over became the the vanguard of human progress.
Centre of Gentile reasoned considerations." when he can hope to find there no
burdened with the hopeless task Christianity.
We receive most of our religious longer, the violent assertions off doing and taught them to pray,
What the proto-martyr Stephen ideas on trust; reliance on authority sciefitifically disproved dogma,
"Our Father forgive us our had foreseeh, and what the con- isfundamental in human character. the performance of empty rituals." trespasses. He taught them that senting Paul had consciously reject-We absorbs them from the environ We quote again Mr. H G. Wells, salvation was conditioned by faithed but unconsciously received, thement in which we live, and share "More people are asking to-day in Himself. God so loved the genius of Christianity was univer them with others without examin- and asking with a new intensity. world that He gave His only-sal.
ing or questioning them. what must I do to be saved? The begotten So that
What must do to be saved? trouble with the Christian Churches believeth in Him should not
will not greatly trouble us, we is that they give a confused, perish but have everlasting life,"
shall hold traditional opinions unconvincing and unsatisfying
undisturbed, we shall observe the answer."
conventional religious duties etc., of-the-Church-of our choice with What answer did Paul give to out enthusiasm, we may ever in a Gentile inquirers? What must we changed environment relax those do?
duties without any great sense of
outward
+.1
$0.
SOCIAL EVIL.
LIBELS ON PORT.
UNOFFICIAL RESENTMENT.
had not occurred.
thereon. I cannot too strongly express the extreme resentment of this Colony that its name should have been fouled, unjustly fouled, by the statements which have been made concerning it.
SOUTH SEAS FILM.
"WHERE THE PAVEMENT ENDS.".
CORONET'S FINE PICTURE. I'
REMARKS ENDORSID; The Hon. Mr. H. W. Bird: I What was new, distinctive and
Ever since it became known To the mod jailer at Phillpi dynamic in the message of Pente
As announced in. last evening's wish to fully endorse the remarks cost was the re-affirm action of the who cries, that must I do to be China Mail, at the meeting of that have fallen from the senior locally that a film was coming to teaching of Jesus, that "He that saved? He replies "Believe on the Legislative Council yesterday, unofficial member. It would seem the Colony under the title "Where believeth on Me hath life,"
the Lordsus Christ and thou Hon. Mr. Holyoak, speaking to the that no matter how irresponsible the Pavement Ends" those who resolution condemning Hongkong they may be, he or she has only to have read the volume of short The apostles preached the all-shalt bad. What answer did Jesus give, to,
To the Carch at Rome he writes. being included in the region in say something derogatory to stories published under that name Advisory Body" has Hongkong, and notice is promptly by Mr. John Russell have been those who asked." What must we do," sufficiency of faith in Jesus Christ
We quote Mr. Wells again. as the means of salvation The "For a not ashamed of the which an "Jesus made a bold and uncom earliest members of the Church Gospel of arist, for it is the power been appointed by the Secretary of taken of such things without any wondering which particular tale of God salvation to everyone State for the Colonies to enquire attempt to find out whether they, might look forward to seeing. promising demand for a complete were those "who believed."
Why is the answer of the Churches that belles to the Jew first and into the existence of maisons the statements are trus or not They will be interested to know, change and cleansing of the life of
tolerées, moved that a protest I strongly support the suggestion therefore, that the story chosen is met at should be forwarded to the Home of my colleague that this Colony The Passion Vine," that wonder- our struggling race, an utter clean- described as confused, unsatisfying also to the reek,"
The Concil, which The confusion is as sing without and within. To the and unconvincing!
old Terusan re-open the question Government Below will be found should be represented on this Gospels the reader must go for
advisory body by someone who ful piece of South Seas romance the first decade of the Whathat we do? followed upon, the full text of the speeches. this tremendous teaching." as
the Church. It the ineration of the mission of
Hon Mr. Holyoak said: I rise, has close knowledge of the facts which many claim to be the bril To the fourth Gospel we go for history of
is significant that confusion did Paul 6th Gentiles but the reason Sir, to propose the resolution that exist here, so that in the event tunt young writer's finest effort. illustration of that teaching.
not enter as might be expected on aud caust of the Council is to be standing in my name. I need of statements being made regard-Whether or not it actually is his local conditions that are finest effort is of unirse a moot "What shall we do, asked the account of any attempt on the part found inde reaction of an apostle scarcely say, Sir, that it is distaste-ing crowd of Jesus, "that we might of the Church to read just her ore apoles and the Pharisale ful to me to go into detail on this incorrect they could be promptly point, but there can be no doubt work the works of God Unex- answer to new conditions of pro-element the Christian Church at subject, nor is it necessary to do contradicted. With these remarks that it could not have been botter- ed as the basis for a movie-play. pected, was the reply.
Pharisalc ex- gress but as might be least expect Jerusalem to the
For months past, Sir, a tissue I beg to support the resolution.
Hon. Mr. Kotewall: Sir, The expression "bris' is used the work of God, that ye believed it entered by way of reaction to clusives and dependence upon of libels, which I personally can on Him whom He hath sent." earlier and deeply ingrained an extes and ritualistic system" only describe as malicious, and support the resolution, though I because certain concessions have More unexpected and perplexing religious ideas which the religion of salon.. "Except ye be perhaps inspired, have been should have been glad to see the been made to filming requirements
M malicious" omitted, for I followed, "Verily, in her whint
certain incident which the enthusiasm had circumded, ye cannot be saved." circulated at Home in connection word verily, I say unto you. He that be superseded.
They landed that the Gentiles with this Colony, both as regards, am inclined to the belief that the story only mentions in passing, for
Tsal
andfaction of those whose activities system Hoveth on Me hath everlasting The sufficiency and efficiency of must come Jews and find the Mui
called the faith as the condition of salvation salvatia through the rites and what is life."
Social have brought this Colony so instance, have been depicted with was challenged out the authority of cereples of the older religion, Evil Conditions," the bulk of unpleasantly and unfairly into the full realism-but it is refreshing old religion.
which, I do not hesitate to state, limelight, has been actuated by to know that these concessions are not borne out by the facts as excessive zeal for their cause rather have been made with the expres we know them. That there has than by any unworthy motive... I consent of the author who was been growing public indignation wish, however, to associate myself himself present during the entire here of these libels has been in this public protest against such filming. Even more plasing is to..
which has undoubtedly know that Mr. Russell' expressed evidenced in the Press and it action would certainly have found voice tended to create a false impression himself as delighted with tho picture, specially complimenting in public meetings if the present of conditions in Hongkong,
The Hon. Mr. Chau Stu-ki: I opportunity
the producer, Mr. Rex Ingram, There is evidence of the misinter agree with the remarks made by upon the skilful manner in which pretation of facts even by those my hon. friend Mr. Kotewall.
The Hon. Mr. C. G. Alabaster: he has brought out all the bizarre who were supposed to know. I would recall to Your Excellency's In rising to support this resoiu- beauty of the setting, and paying mind and to the minds of ton I would like to draw the glowing tributes to the ability of hon. members of this Council attention of the Council to the fact the two leading players, Miss Alice that some two years ago we had a that during the last five years or Terry and Mr. Ramon Novarro. visitation from a Commission in-so the Secretaries and the Uu-Readers of Where the Pavement quiring into vice in the Eastern der Secretaries of State have been Ends" will not require to be told. answer ques|that Miss Terrý takes the part of ports and a statement was publish- called upon to ed in one of the most prominent tions relating to Hongkong un- the missionary's daughter "com- medical journals over the name of derlying which there has been mitted the sacred cause of respect- Mrs. Neville Rolfe, a member of an inuendo or slur on the good ability in a far land." or that Mr. name of the Colony. These Novarro fulfils the role of that Commission, who spent some time inquiring into conditions here, questions, we cannot believe, are Motauri, "the high chief and a containing assertions which were asked maliciously by the honouredescendant of king" who was so definitely tonsidered not only able members who ask them. We
'also a native and a pagan," look- a gross misrepresentation of the are forced therefore to believe
that these questioners are mere ing most distractingly sike a young facts, but libellous in its re- ferences to the state of disease marionettes dancing vigorously woodland god. Needless to add in this Colony that a well-known though unconsciously to the wire the role of the missionary and private medical practitioner here pulling of Empire breakers at that of the brutal Captain Hull took upon himself personally to Hume and abroad. It is time that Gregson are also very abi, ennt. resentment against these "Where the Pavemem. Ende" hás contradict the statements, with the the
And result that Mrs. Neville Rolfe was charges should find expression. been beautifully almed, moved to retract the statement. The resentment is not confined altogether it can be said that the such to unofficial members; it is author had every reason to he These and many other
have led statements
the rescatment which pervades the pleased with the way his story has incorporation of Hongkong into whole community, and is shared
been brought to life the wreen. the appointment of an Advisory by officials, as well. Body to inquire into the "maisons would like to see that those who tolerées" and social hygiene of advise the Secretary of State on
STAR THEATRE. Hongkong and other places. I this and other important questions submit that it could be fairly have an intimate and actual know- recognised, that this is totally ledge of the place on which they
WANDERWELL PICTURES. unnecessary, so far as Hongkong is are advising. Otherwise there is concerned at any rate. In the grave danger that they will be talk-
At the Star Theatre last night, The question is one of immediate loss.
second place I think I express theing through their toes. We would
10 sec some official there was a fair house only when, interest, it is noteworthy that inj But let us begin to ask with a unanimous opinion of hon. mem-like.
unofficial member who has the pictures of the travels of Capt. the great periods of religion the new intensity, What must I do?bers when I say we resent inter-
from the Colony and wanderwell and his sister,, Miss The conflict between Jesus and return has been made to what is Then it is we realise how confused ference in what we might call the retired. the Jewish teachers, between the common to the teaching of Paul are the answers, how unconvincing domestic control of the Colony of know's it well, on this advisory Aloha, were screened. During The Government body. We are not afraid of the their long journey they have Master Himself and the Pharisees and His divine Master.
the many authorities, and how un- Hongkong. was not merely local and tempor The Gospels, the apostles and satisfying all the routine of might with no greater reason have results of any enquiry that may be obtained some exceptional pictures desired to appoint a Committee to made into the social life here, of great events in many parts of ary in its significance. It was a the Church do not explain Paul or religious observances.. a conflict of principles, and funda- his mission and message.
The question itself is the soul's advise upon the hospital system of because we believe that Hongkong the world and by the time the trip clean city, socially and is finished, Capt: Wanderwell mentals, old as religion island Saul, as he first appears in the confession of failure to remove the Hongkong and we, with equal is a as persistent. The conflict was Acts of the Apostles, consents to tragedy of sin from human lives, impropriety, might demand en morally. It is a town of over a should be able to boast that he has 'snapped" more heads and ex-. renewed in the primitive Church the death of Stephen A member and to achieve deliverance from quiry into the conditions of vice million inhabitants, one of the and continues to the present day of the strictest sect of the fews its insidious power. Or it is the existing at Home., As an old largest ports in the world, heads of States than Mr. Isaac What must I do? Does the reply Pharisee of the Pharisees, he confession of our powerlessness in resident of many years standing garrison town and a naval station Marcosson interviewed. There will of Jesus satisfy? This is the proved his fanatical regard for the the face of the great tasks of life, and as one who has stood outside and the abiding place temporarily be a repeat performance to-night, work of God that ye believe on old religion by the fierceness of which challenge 15, but the the Government and occasionally or permanently-of people of all and those fond of travel pictures his assault on the now. The sury humiliating experiences of the past criticised ft, I can say that the sorts and conditions and of every and an futereating narrative should of how he was halted on the teave us unprepared and unfited system of registration here is race and tongue; road to Damascus, the hungry rolf for the larger demands of the a system not to of Judaism on his way to range future. the Christian flock, is familiartcall. We shall be blest indeed if we and children from vice. Finally, able comparison with any town of
"Lord, what wilt Thou have me
find an answer where H. G. Wells so not consist in "Believe this and do Gospels what was distinctive in to do? The Jesus, whom he was and Richard King and multitudes
persecuting met him in the way of other earnest seekers failed. that" on the authority" of the their reply. Churches.
The first impression we receive There is more than surprise the
We shall have in most cases to The Churches will have to on examining the answer is one of oft-repeated question. We can
return to where the pioneers of the recognise that whatever answer surprise that there is little which detect the undertones of coffict; great creative periods of the Church they may give to the great question distinguishes it from the message in that spiritual crisis Paulknew history, found their way back to can only be tentative and in no of the earlier prophets. The the reason why he had ben the and that is to the Master Himself. way final. Now occasions teach "Repent ye," the promise of for- enemy, he had resisted an inquiry He is ultimately the way, the new duties" even religious duties giveness of sins and the gift of which might have 'made' ilm
truth and the life." To all the progressive move; the Holy Spirit, show that the friend.
Lord, what wilt Thou have me ments of the human mind and apostles are successors to the We detect also the deepr note do? spirit the Churches must react. prophetic tradition.
of despair. The strict ahi con-
We must come face to face with The failure to do so in the past
scientious Pharisee face to face the Jesus, whom we may find in must be retrieved.
with Jesus know, in that monent of the Gospel, in the lives of those illumination and self-revelation who are doing His will, and in our "In the name is chancteristic how vain had been his past con-
own experience. We must come phraseology of the Old Testament.fidence and boasting.
face to face with the Christ who "The name Jesus" belongs to What wilt Thou have to do?" the beginning of the Gospel. It was the confession of a great "Thou shalt call His name Jesus, soul's tragedy, the tragedy to What must we do! The least | for He shall save His people from achieve harmony, salvation and we can do is to believe in Him and
their sins."
peace through the most konscient the most we can do is to believe. lousand persistent doing, the most The simplest of all answers was faithful performance of all the this "This Is the work of God externalities of religions obser- that ye believe in Him." vances, obediences, rites andritual. Faith to Him brings deliverance, The Pharisee, who believed him a Father's pardon and joyous con- self in respect of law blameless, is sciousness of sonship. Faith re- known to us in his letters "Of leases the mighty energies of the sinners the chief."
Spirit of God which flow into the
Wells and King-represent an increasing number of, thoughtful inquirers who are to be found out side the Churches, but not outside religion cr uninfluenced by the spirit of religion.
The quotations we have made create the impression that in the case of Mr. Wells "Salvotion" and in the case of Mr. King "Religion" may not be after all a matter of doing but something entirely different.
The Churches may say "Do this and thou shalt be saved" but if their voices are many and warring, and if those who listen are driven to doubt uncertainty and denial
we not suspect the "Do this "?
The Churches may formulate creeds and dogmas, may develop observances and rituals but if the result is producing boredom and revolt in the multitude; may we not also suspert that salvation does
by the confusion of tongues; may
We are of opinion, however, that suck reaction will enable the Churches to give a fuller and more comprehensive content to the idea of salvation.
|
whosoever
The accident of Jewish jealousy and rejection of the message in Pisidia gave the impulse to the Belief, He taught them, was no wider evangelisation. Paul's" Lo substitute for works but their we turn, to the Gentiles" was the strength and inspiration-cry of freedom and advance
'Tremendous" are His words "Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall do, because I go unto the Father.""
Him." We fear not.
What answer did the epistles give to-the-crowd on the day when they cried, what must we do
Our interest in raising this quca- tion is to trace to its source in the
"In the name of Jesus Christ" introduces what is new and distinctive.
The answer for which inquirers are waiting is not concerned with now doctrines and dogmas and new rules and routine but some. A: Pentecost Peter requires thing fundamental and we believe those who receive the massage to It will yet be rediscovered by the be baptised "in the name.
·Churches where it exists in its Later he declares Neither is utmost simplicity..
there salvation in noy other for there is no other name under heaven given among men, where by we must be saved,"
The message of the, undivided Church removes the suspicion that salvation may not be a matter of doing, but of something entirely different.
We may be guided in our quest for the convincing answer, If we can get behind Apostles, Churches and Councils to the Master Teacher and Saviour of merk
is seeking us and making us rest- less until we find Him.
A third reference to the name, Paul came to his knowledge of lives of those belleve in the Christ. "Through His pame, whose the way of salvation through a Faith, in the tremendous words of believeth in Him shall receive direct and personal contact with Jesus, makes possible the highest remission of sins.”
Jesus, through an experience of service of God and man.
He What was new and chaacteristic disillusionment and despair he that believeth on Me, the works of the apostolic message is their he came to the knowledge that only that I do he shall do also, and assistance on the circumstance that by the grace of God can a sinner greater works than these, because He was asked what must we there is a vital relation between the saved and through faith in the go unto the Father." do 2but. His reply did not salvation-and-the-heof Christ, the Saviour of men. immediately carry conviction. Jesus Christ."
We can understand that Paul had
The world of 'His day and the What must we do? is clear but one answer to Jew and Gentile, world of our day expected and that whatever we do, am doing and that answer the all-sufficiency expects a different answer, there must be related to the numo. of faith and the completo in
Frightening in the Night
}
fore the confusion. Insight and. The simplest thing we can do is efficiency of "doing " understanding come when in the to believe in the "hate" and all
Aory in the night, griping painé in By his earlier experience of the vitals, cramps, weakening diarrbors; light of His cross Jesus is revealed that the name means us. It is Pharisalsm and the discovery of whether child or adult, there is im- as the Saviour of men, and we at the same time the moit revoluits moral and spiritual failure, and metale comfort and usso from palu in exclaim with the crowd" He saved tionary act of the human mind and by his later discovery of the Chambetla n's Colia and Dierbocs others, Himself He could not save." heart. The acrapping of old he-dynamic power of faith, he caine Hemedy. It pays to keep it always on
Whatever may be our attitude left and confidences is made to a full understanding of the hand. For sale everywhere.
vice, but to
to
or
We also
nevertheless avail themselves of the opportunity. protect we are prepared to say that protect women morally we can stand in favour,
GOLF.
......
KOWLOON COURSE VOTE.
much has been said and its size in the five continents of circulated at Home which has the seven seas. I therefore beg to been misrepresentation of the add my support to this resolution.
H.E. the Governor: Thits truth, possibly having some little substratum of truth, that we would motion being, the expression of
At the meeting of the Financo urge that the Home Government, the views of the Unofficial Men so far as Hongkong is concerntel, bers, it is out of place for Official Committee after the sitting of the at any rate, should appoint to the Members to express another, except Legislative Council yesterday, Advisory Body some resident of as to whether it should be forward- sum of $6,000 was voted as a grant long standing in Hongkonged to the Secretary of State, and in aid of the new Golf Course at familiar with the facts, life and the votes of Official Members are Kowloon. The mind already conditions here, and therefore confined entirely to that question. been approved by the Financo calculated to give sound advice
The motion was agreed to.
SHIPBUILDERS. SHIP REPAIRERS. BOILER MAKERS. FORGE MASTERS, OXY-ACETYLENE, AND BLBOTRIO WELDERS.
MECHANICAL, AND ELECTRICAL
Committee.
LIMITED.
THE TAIKOO DOCKYARD, & ENGINEERING COMPANY.
ENGINEERS,
OF
Tal. ÁUDES: "TarKOODOOK," Horozono, Telephone Czitras No; 115,-
Duz The over "ANS, FERMÄNT,”
HONGKONG,
-DEY. DOOK-
Length 787 •Fest,
Length on Blocks 750 Foot Depth on Centrò of his
sin (F.W.0.8.T.) 34 r. 8 Ind. THREE SLIPWAYE-
Capable of Handling Ships Ug ̈
to 3,000 Tous Displacement. Mimotrie Craan at Ben Wall, Capable of Kifing
GUTTERFIELD & SWIRE AGENTS BONGRONO, CHINA & JAPAN,