The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-10-27

marine muzSauas Il 70 o turned
over 10 the navy Dec. 7. 1912. the
vessel commission announced.
and the future Of the entire mis-
sionsry enterprise would be en-
dangered.
As missionary leaders see Il.
the only hope for the churches Of
the Far East IL = military victory
by the United Nations which
would Gust the japanese. Until
this event. the churches. It Is held.
have no alternative but to turn
religious enterprises over TO native
Christians which they have
been doing anyway by degrees
and suffer Japanese control
CONFLICT CONTINUES
IN NORWAY
The church conflict in Norway
was again sharpened last week
when IS elergymen were ordered
to leave their parishes and put
under police surveillance. This Is
believed to be the largest whole
sale ousting of clergymen 50 far
undertaken by the ouisling gov
eminent.
The LOO Norwegian pastors
who resigned en- masse some
months ago were deprived of their
salaries. but were permitted 10
remain at their posts.
Meanwhile. Polish sources an
nounced that Gestapo Chief Hen
rich Himmler has drafted and
sent to the president Of the Epis-
copal Conference at Fulda. an or
dinance limiting the religious
freedom of Poles forced TO work
In Germany. One Of the six re-
strictions states that poles have
no inherent right 10 hold reli-
gious services"
The Berlin radio reported the
resignation Of Patriarch Nicodim
Munteanu as head of the ortho-
dox Church In Roumania. The
Berlin announcer said that moth
ing Is available regarding the
reason for his resignation.
Patriarch Nicodim. who il II
years old. became head of the
Roumanisn Orthodox Church In
June, 1899. He was considered
a liberal churchman who had con-
sistently remained out of politics.
MAY USE LAYMEN As
ASSISTANT PASTORS
u. s. church groups began
movement last week to encourage
laymen to undertake parish
duties which have additionally
been handled by clergymen. The
move was In Connection with the
growing shortage of elergymen.
which Is becoming acute in some
denominations.
Speakers at the United Luther.
an Church Brotherhood Convention
at Louisville. urged members to
serve as lay readers. parish work.
ers and church visitors. One
speaker pointed out that when
Russian bishops and pastors dis
appeared. secretly ordained mer-
chants, farmers and truck drivers
took their places.
The National Conference Of the
Evangelical Church at Naperyiile.
ILL.,, outlined the career possibili-
ties for able laymen In the field
of religion.
The Holston, Tenn. conference
of the Methodist Church received
a recommendation that lay speak
ers be used to FIJI pulpits Of
churches made vacant as a result
of preachers entering the chap
laincy or for other reasons. II II
recalled that the General Board
of Lay Activities of the Methodist
that lay speakers be used TO con-
duct church services when neces-
sary. II was suggested that such
laymen be given prepared ser
mons and other material to be
presented from the pulpit.
LAYMEN TAKE OVER
IN GERMANY
II Is noted by observers that the
lay ministry has received great
impetus In Germany a. one means
Of keeping the churches alive. In
some sections Of the Reich IS
per cent Of the clergy have been
modified. Many others have been
arrested. But In most cases.
whenever a pastor has been ar
rested or drafted for military SER
vice. layman has taken over the
pulpit and parish duties
So Widespread has this practice
evidently become that last spring