Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-10

WIFI q SIlTlSLldH church.
Professor Rupert Davies OF
told startled clergymen at the
in Wesley Theological Seminary
people to the church consisted
of baptism, marriage and
burial"
ION two occasions at least
they are unaware of what is
happening" Professor Davies
asserted, land on the third &C.
casion they are probably think
ing of other things than the
church"
The English lecturer, inter-
spersing humorous observations
with trenchant statements,
painted a picture of religious
life in Great Britain different
from that in America.
English people are not in
terested in what goes on in the
church," he declared. "They
know it exists but are not
interested"
But he insisted this did not
mean the English people were
not concerned about the basic
questions of life. But they are
mot interested in the way the
church handles these questions.
When they are in personal
trouble, they do not turn to
the church but to other sources
There is a rift between life of
the church and that Of the
community"
Atmosphere" Noted
Professor Davies pointed
out that living in a country
having an established church
creates an atmosphere diff
cult for people elsewhere to
understand.
IAN established church pro-
vides an atmosphere that has
been created by many CEN
turies," he claimed. Even
when you go into a Methodist,
Baptist or other church, you
are under the influence Of the
established church, the Church
of England"
OF the so-called free churches
(other than Church of Eng
land) the Methodist Church is
by far the largest, the visitor
explained.
1T is customary to say that
half Of the English churches
are Anglican, half free churches
and half of the free churches
are Methodist. The Methodist
Church has 100000 active
members, and counting chill
dren and those loosely associ-
ated with the church. about
2 million members. CThe
Methodist Church in the United
States is the largest Protestant
body with more than 10 million
members.O
Middle Glass Church
Professor Davies observed
that the Methodist Church In
England is largely a middle
class church. He added that
its contact with the working
class has not been lost even
If the relationship has never
been strong.
While there are many dis
advantages for the Methodist
Church in England, the speaker
said, these are counter
balanced by advantages. Among
the former were "old, dull and
ugly buildings hanging like a
milestone around our neck
They were built when there
was more wealth than taste"
A shortage of money and
a decline in candidates for the
ministry were two other major
obstacles. To this he added
the serious Sunday school
situation, brought on chiefly
blythe rise of the motor car
In England, he said, Sunday
school is held Sunday after
noon. You know what happens
on Sunday afternoons in Amer
lea, and that is happening IN
England now"
Advantages Seen
But there are distinct ad-
yantages working for the Meth
odist Church in England.
There is a really vigorous
youth movement in the
church." Professor Davies said
ut is on a larger scale than
any other church and more
effectively DONE"
To this must be added q
growing concern with Christian
education.
There is a strong trend In
Young people toward church
manship, the Bible and per-
sonal devotion" he asserted
"It is required by law in Eng
land that there be daily wor-
ship services and teaching OF
the Bible in the schools"
University students have
manifested a resurgence of in
terest in the church. The
speaker pointed out that when
he was an undergraduate at
oxford only 48 students out
of 1000 were members of the
Wesley Society. Today there
are 300 to 400 at oxford ano
500 to 600 at Cambridge, and
the percentage is going up.
More Strongly Represented
This means that the classes
in society from which Meth
odists come are more strongly
represented in the universities
than before the war;" Profess
sor Davies said. But it also
Indicates a revival of youne