Tárogató, 1946-1947 (9. évfolyam, 7-10. szám)

1947-04-01 / 10. szám

TÁROGATÓ

15

and an old theatre building were used as worshipping places. To Rev. Edward Lectkar, an English Methodist minister homesteading in Saskatchewan for reasons of health, goes the distinction of commencing services in this important area in south-west Saskatchewan in 1913. The present church edifice, which is valued at about thirty-four thousand dollars, was erected in 1930 under the ministry of Rev. E. S. Barton, a mortgage amounting to ten thousand dollars being gradually cleared off through persistent efforts during the pastorates of Revs. Foster Hilliard, John McKnight and Geo. E. Robins, and the present minister, Rev. A. G. Rice. A colourful ceremony, presided over by the minister, marked burning of the mortgage which took place during the week following the anniversary services. Most of the furnishings in this beautiful and commodious church edifice were purchased by the Woman’s Association; the Communion Table was the gift of the C.G.I.T. groups while the bell in the tower was donated by Messrs. C. E. Watson and F. H. Fowler.

“The Church Looks at Itself” is the name being used for a study inaugurated by last Saskatchewan Conference as a result of an address on that theme given by Rev. J. L. Nicol, D.D. Following a somewhat keen discussion on Dr. Nicol’s paper the Conferencé gave instructions for the setting up of eight regional committees charged with the duty of studying questions pertinent to the paper and the subsequent discussion. These committees prepared a report for the Co-ordinating Committee which met in Saskatoon on January 22nd. Chaired by Rev. Prof. J. B. Corston, of St. Andrew’s College, the Co-ordinating Committee includes Rev. J. L. Nicol, D.D., Vice-Chairman; R. W. Schnell, Secretary; R. J. McDonald, D.D., R. D. Tannahill, D.D., Robert Hall, and the chairmen of the regional committees.

Having as its background the present day neglect of “moral tendencies and social consequences,” Dr. Nicol’s paper commented on such disturbing facts as: (1) The frank admission of certain educational authorities that higher education is failing to provide adequate moral leadership. (2) The increasing influence of certain “junior denominations” or

“sects” often at the expense of the denominations that have a greater measure of historic respectability. (3) Factors in our own Church that would appear to indicate a decline in religious interest; for example: A falling off since 1926 in the number of candidates for the ministry. Reluctance on the part of many of the younger ministers to serve frontier charges. The spending of large sums by some wealthier congregations in improving church edifices already well constructed and commodious while the Church’s enterprises are being handicapped for lack of funds. Hence whatever may be the outcome of the studies on “The Church Looks at Itself,” they should be able at least to find a satisfactory point of departure in some of the mentally provocative statements in Dr. Nicol’s address.

—United Church Observer.

CANADA’S MINISTER TO CHINA MEETS MISSION GROUP

Canada is happy in her Department of External Affairs. In charge of it is a cultured Christian gentleman, the Honourable Mr. St. Laurent. Among his officers are three or four sons of ministers, at least two of whom were born on overseas mission fields. As deputy minister or chief of staff, is the wellknown L. B. Pearson, a graduate of Victoria College, and son of an honoured minister in the former Methodist Church. The present ambassador to Mexico is Doctor Hugh Keenleyside who, as Secretary to the Canadian Legation in Japan, was well and favourably known to all our missionaries there. The first Canadian Ambassador to China was a prominent United Churchman, General Victor Odium, of Vancouver. He also was a good friend to all missionaries.

All this is preliminary to mentioning the new appointee to China, the Honourable J. C. Davis, of Saskatchewan. Studying his field and his problem, he came to realize that the largest single group of Canadians permanently resident in China was made up of missionaries of the various churches. Seeking closer acquaintance and the information they could give, he spent a day recently in Toronto where he had lunch with