THE

SOUTH PLACE M'AGAZINE: A MONTHLY . . RECORD

OF THE WORK OF

\tbe $outb ~[ace J6tbical $ociet\? Vol. I., No. 3. JUNE, 1895. 2d. Monthly;

20. 6d. Annually. post froe.

SUNDAY MORNING DISCOURSES. THE TRAVAIL OF THE NEW BIRTH.

On April 28th, Mr. Conway discussed the subject of the New Birth. He showed that the idea was not Jewish or Greek in origin, but Aryan, and hence in returning to it, we are really returning to the religion of our Aryan ancestors. It was a simile familiar to the Brahmin and J ain religions (Brahmana, or Digha, meaning the twice-born), and from these Sources was imported into the Christian Scripture. It was foreign to Hebrew ideas, and incomprehensible to N icodemus; but that is a reason for supposing that the conversation in which it appears in the Gospel of St. John may be genuine. The writers of the other Gospels may I1ave omitted reference to it simply because they did not under­stand it. Paul's idea is different,-a 'new creature,' or 'creation,' not a new birth. This is a simple analogy between physical birth and man's progress from unselfish­ness to justice, from darkness to light. The Pope has just made an appeal to Englishmen, but he is already really the head of those who have not shared the world's new births, who have not been born again intellectually, and who make a merit of trampling on reason. The ex-Abbe Miel wrote me that in France the priests are systematically taught to regard reason as carnal, and to look upon intellectual temp­tation against dogmatic faith in the same light as temptation against chastity. Protestants belong spiritually to the Pope in so far as they abjure reason. In olden times Imperial Rome repressed with stern authority the theological strife between man and man, and nation and nation. Now, since the abolition of his temporal power, the Pope can only issue gentle Encyclical invitations: "Will you walk into my parlour? " The world of which he is the centre is a fairy­land, not without its charms, peopled by angels, and saints, and demon. The preacher in St. Paul's was quite right

who said on Easter Sunday that those who believed in the bodily resurrection of Christ lived in a different world from those who do not so believe. The differences that arise between parents and children from the moral growth of individuals is extremely pathetic. Jesus found little sym­pathy in his home, probably from the too orthodox an affec­tion bestowed on him. Buddha and Zoroaster had the same difficulties. "A man's foes shall be those of his own house­hold." The freest among us must beware of tempting those who are nearest and dearest to us, by interfering with their convictions by our authority, or in a more subtle way by our affection. The idea that martyrdoms are good must be fought against; ill-treatment can only breed bitterness and hatred. We must take to heart the lesson of the lives made almost as miserable by obstructions of affection as by those of hostilitv in the travails of new birth.

Mr. Conway's readings were both taken from early writings of Dr. J ames Martineau, including a letter written in 1861 to Mr. Conway, in Ohio, on the death of Theodore Parker.

WINTER DOGMAS AND SPRING GOSPELS. Speaking on May 12th, Mr. Conway remarked that the

Archbishop of Canterbury recently warned the propagandists of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, that" in dealing with the heathen they must not substitute one mythology for another." We have lived to see a Primate bold enough to remind his clergy that there is a christian mythology, and that mis­sionaries may be substituting it for some other. It has been an obstinate belief of those who cherish a mythology that those who reject it are bereft of the beauty and sustaining life of religion. It is held essential t.hat the spiritual nature should have a dogmatic creed and supernatural system. But consider the millions of human beings who cannot possibly form dogmatic theories of the universe, or digest the argu­ments and facts relating to supernatural systems, and can only accept creeds from others, or repeat them like parrots. Are these millions therefore without participation in the spiritual life of humanity? The springtide teaches a happier gospel. The smallest seeds of virtue, deep in the heart, are reached by potency of sunbeams they cannot see, much less analyse. Hearts receive the sweet influence of universal reason in subtle ways, from myriad sources, unconsciously as flowers drinking the dew, and transmitting secret virtues of their clod to fragrance and beauty. Some extensive experience

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among orthodox people-or those wno think' themselves orthodox-convinces me that generally their hearts are fed by the living genius of their time, al).d th~ir moral sense defies their wintry dogmas. The wrathful God of the Bible is no longer taken seriously. There are, however, still some un­sunned corners where glaciers of superstition linger. Nothing could be plainer in the bible than the divine command, " Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live"; yet when an Irish­man, surrounded by his friends, burnt his wife to death as a witch, all the world was scandalized. In reading the reports of May anniversaries of sectarian organizations this year, I have marked few of those icy dogmas that used to chill this season. The churches are reporting what flowers they have been able to lay over the thorns of poverty. The Chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, hurled his eloquent thunderbolt, not on heresy, but on war; com­merce, telegrams, and civilization, he said, have so inter­woven nations that war is now "fratricide." The great meeting of the month had been a union of churches and sects of believers and unbelievers, to denounce cruelty and oppres­sion in the East. How changed is the christian sentiment towards the "heathen" once believed destined to eternal perdition! Forty-five bibles of non-christian religions 4ave been translated, and are read with sympathetic interest and instruction by the teachers of christianity. Some thinkers maintain that religion had no future: like Assyrian Ishtar in her descent into hell, they see her, passing from portal to portal, losing one power after another; destined never to return. But religion has started on her return to the upper world; like Ishtar, she has already resumed her garment at the first portal, in the garment which charity gives to poverty. Religious sentiment is occupied with feeding, clothing, heal­ing human bodies; that is a good step towards the actual world. But man cannot live on bread alone; Ishtar recovers her diamonds, and man must have the refinements that Art will bestow when that iron portal of the Sabbath yields, and the day of the sun is no longer an under-world prison. The strong doors of asceticism, of puritanism, of all human sacri­fices, must fall, and happiness be the bloom on every virtue's fruit. The church portal, whose bars are creeds and articles, must yield in turn, and the vast wealth transmitted from the past for spiritual culture must be freed from icy fetters, and melt in fires of genius, streaming through the land till its waste places blossom like the rose.

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SUNDAY AFTERNOON FREE LECTURES.

On March 17th Miss r-<rances Hicks (Sec. Women's Trade Union Association), in her lecture on " Factory and Workshop Inspection," said that fair employers should welcome the Factory Acts as tending to prevent the lowering of prices due to the lowering of working expenses, which can easily be brought about if sanitary arrangements be neglected and overcrowding per­mitted . The lecturer explained the desirability (especially in trades involving complex machinery and manufacture) of having intelligent skilled workers among the staff of inspectors; but pointed out that the best men were not to be obtained at the present low salaries, when they could earn more with so much less anxiety and responsibility. Miss Hicks dwelt also upon the great size of the Inspectors' districts, the slowness of official action, and the way in which the overlapping of various authori­ties hampered the Inspectors.

On March 24th Mr. C. Hill (Sec. London Committee, United Plumbers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland), lecturing on " Plumbing," said that their industry was one of the oldest in the Building trade. In the earlier times the craft was most concerned with keeping water out of the house by lead roofing, while in latter times and especially during the last few weeks it was mostly interested in bringing it into the house by lead pipes. In the reign of Edward Ill. a charter was granted to the Plumbers' Company, and one of the first privileges it obtained was, that its craftsmen should work one hour less than others in the Building trade in consequence of the high mortality of its workers, both the former and (unfortunately) the latter are maintained (average age 38) to the present time, in addition the plumber is paid Id. an hour extra, which makes the weekly wage about the same as others.

The lecturer commended the action of the Plumbers' Company in founding the City and Guilds Institute and in giving a diploma to all who passed its examination; this diploma the lecturer strongly recommended all working plumbers to try and obtain. London, the most healthy city in the world, had been made so by the plumber, and the lecturer in conclusion called upon his fellow workers to maintain the high standard for workmanship for which the London plumber had the deserved reputation.

Mr. Sidney Webb's lecture on the" Place of Trade Unionism in Industry," on 3 1st March, referred to the three most general views of trade unionism; that of the capitalist, who considers it of no use whatever; that of the enthusiastic trade unionist, who believes it to be so potent that if workmen were staunch ad­herents every abuse would be remedied; and that of the impulsive socialist, who considers it only of temporary utility. In his own opinion its value was real and permanent, though strictly limited,

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leaving many economic evils quite untouched . He considered that even under a collectivist organisation it would still be desirable, as, though its present essential featu~c of '~collective bargaining" would no longer be so requisite, yet, if a protest were needed, a large body could ensure a hearing. Trade Unions, too, would probably develop on the lines of the National Union of Teachers, a nd devote most of their time and thought to improving their technique.

That the various unions should possess the instruments of production in their respective trades he considered a dangerous proposition; a man as a worker should be the servant of the whole community, and a controller only in his capacity as citizen .

• NATIONAL TELEPHONE COMPA V'S EXCIJANGE, LIME STREET,

LONDON.-About thirty Ramblers visited this interesting Exchange on Saturday, March 16th, and were very courteously shown round by the Company's officials . First we were taken to the engine and battery rooms, and it was certainly a matter for surprise that a small one-horse-power engine can supply all the power required . Next we went upstairs to a large room, the Telephone Exchange proper, where on ordinary days about sixty young lady operators are employed, but on Saturday aftt:rnoons only about twelve to fifteen are in attendance, and for that reason we could all the better observe the lIIodus operalldi of receiving and transmitting telephonic messages. These lady operators wear telephones attached to their persons, the speaking part being on the breast, and the ear-piece or receiver attached by a band to the head . This arrangement gives them the free use of their hands for manipulating the wires, handles, &c. We were afterwards taken up to another room, and shown how the various wires are dis­tributed to the subscribers . Then on to the roof to see the multitude of wires connecting the numerous subscribers. Where are they going to find room for these ever increasing wires? During our visit, one lady spoke to the Editor of the Tltllbridge Wells Advertiser at Tunbridge Wells . We were afterwards connected with the Prince of Wales Theatre, Liverpool, over

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200 miles away, and heard Miss Mabel Love singing in the Pantomime then being performed. That seems almost incre­dible, but the previous wcek communicatio.n had been established between London and Glasgow, over 400 mIles! vVhat would our grandmothers say to all this defiance of the laws of distance?

Religious literature generally, and South Place literature especially, has received a very interesting contribution in the pamphlet now sold in our library: "Sarah Flower Adams: A Memoir, and her Hymns." Also" The Flock at the Fountain" CA Catechism for children). London: Christian Life Publishing Company. This excellent work is by Mrs. E. Bridell Fox, than whom none could be more competent for it either by literary ability or intimate knowledge of the subject. The excellent Memoir is a pleasant foretaste of the large work on which, as is generally known, Mrs. Bridell Fox is engaged-the biography of her father, W . J. Fox, M.P ., of whose genius South Place is a monument. Such a biography, from the pen of Mrs. Bridell Fox, will certainly be in some sense a history of Liberalism, both religious and political, during the first half of the present century.

M. D. C.

Replying to the address sent to him by the Society, Rev. Dr. ] ames Martineau writes :-c. To the South Place, Finsbury, Congregation and Minister,

"May 5, 1895. "DEAR MR. Co 'WAY,-You will not interpret, I am sure, the

late date of this letter as any sign of tardy gratitude to your con­gregation for their truly generous greeting on the completion of my ninetieth year. So profuse has been the shower of Birthday Addresses from the many Public Bodies with which a long life has connected me, that I have been unable to prevent their over­flowing into outlying reaches of time.

"So cordial a recognition of my lifework as you have been commissioned to send me is the more valuable for being based, as I am well aware, not on any party-sympathy with the cast of my opinions, but on a common moral approval of careful research and unreserved speech on all subjects affecting either theoretic or historical Religion . The attempt to find infallible records in canonical books, and permanent standarc\s of truth in eccle­siastical votes has so hopelessly failed, that honest persistence in it has become impossible to instructed persons; and, therefore, iI) all competent guides and teachers of men, a continued sanction and profession of it is not simply an intellectual error, but a breach of veracity. And this tampering with sincerity on the part of instructors who know better than they choose to say, not only arrests the advance to higher truth, but eats, like a canker,

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into the morals of our time. The sophistries of unfaithful minds are as strange as they are deplorable. vVhoever smothers an "honest doubt" creates the Sin, V'{hile lTIissing the preluding Good, of unbelief. And the conventional outcry against" destruc­tive criticism" intercepts the reconstructive thought and faith which can alone endure.

I can never cease to be grateful to "fellow-seekers after God," whose heart is set on following the lead of His realities, and not the bent of their own wishes and prepossessions. And far above all doctrinal sympathies, orthodox or freethinking, do I prize the encouragement which your message presses home upon our common conscience to "hold fast our integrity," and trust the true (ll/d tlie good as alone Diville.

Believe me, always, Yours very sincerely,

lAMES MARTINEAU.

The Children's Service took place on May 5th, when addresses were given by Miss Josephine Troup, on the struggles of growing plants and the lessons they teach, Mr. Virchand Gandhi (of Bombay), whose remarks were chiefly upon the important part taken by children in Indian households, Mr. F . l. Gould and Mr. Conway. Mr. Conway read to the children the following ancient Scotch proverbs, interpolating anecdotes in illustratio\J of them :-

A black hen lays a white egg. A blythe heart makes a blooming look. A good name is sooner tint (stained) than won. A good word is as soon said as an ill one. Bare-footed men need not tread upon thorns. Better go to bed supperless than rise in debt. Better keep well than make well. Better unborn than untaught. Birth's good but breeding's better. Daylight will peep through a smalI hole. Diligence is the mother of good luck. Far away fowls have fair feathers. Leave welcome behind you. Play's good while it is play. Shallow waters make most din. Welcome is the best dish in the kitchen.

The Annual Meeting was held on May 12th, Mr. W. Rawlings in the Chair. There being ten candIdates for eight vacancies on the Committee, a ballot was taken, resulting in the election of Mrs. Seam er, Miss vViltshire, and M~ssrs. Carter, Fairhall, Halliday, Morris, Sheowring, and Todd. Messrs. H. Seyler and

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J . E . PolIitt were elected Auditors. Five debentures, numbers 136, 139, 140, 158, and 160 were drawn by Trustees to the Fund, for repayment in January, 1896. The Chairman moved, and Mr. Fairhall seconded, the adoption of the Report. Messrs. DalIow, Preston, Crowder, S . Fenton, Reynolds, S . Barralet, T. and W. Mansford, Crawshay, Wright, and Crossfield having spoken, the Report was adopted. A resolution proposed by Mr. Crawshay, seconded by Mr. Dallow, and supported by Mr. Tate Mansford, that a circular ce sent to members asking whether they will be willing to have the seat-rents raised to defray the deficit, or prefer to guarantee a certain sum annually, was lost. On the invitation of the Chairman Mr. Conway briefly addressed the members, expressing his regret that increasing years and engagements with publishers prevented him from undertaking more work than at present arranged. The meeting then closed.

The Annual Book Sale proved even a greater success than last year, realising nearly sufficient to redeem three Debentures. An Organ Recital by Mr. Webster, and a Selection of Music given by the Ramblers' Band, rendered the proceedings bright through­out. The Committee have recently received a valuable collection of original Water Colours painted by Mrs. E. Bridell Fox, together with a series of choice Engravings from Old Masters; these are always open to the inspection of mcmbers and friends.

It is pleasing to note that the affiliation of the Ra mblers' Dance Committee to the parent Society has been followed by that of the Discussion Society, which will now be placed upon a permanent basis .

CORRESPONDENCE. J . H. writes :-" urely we have an artist among us who could

design an appropriate cover, something that would be a pleasure to the eye, and an inducement to look within ." The help of such members is cordially invited .

To F . H. M.-Your kind otTer is accepted with many thanks; all our efforts are de\'oted to making the Maga7.ine worthy in every way of the Society.

NOTE.-The Editor is relying upon the members to furni sh him with matter regularly from month to month .

Contributions should be addressed-"EDITOR SOUTH PLACE MAGAZINE,"

67 Cromwell Avenue, Hlghgate, N., and reach him not later than the last aturday in each month . In order not to exclude any branch of the Society's operations, brief notices should be sent.

KENN,\:, & Co., Printers, 25 Camdcn Road, London, N.W