The Church Congress opened at Eastbourne on Tuesday and the
Archbishop of Canterbury preached a notable sermon as an introduction to the discussion of the main subject before the Congress, which is " World Problems and Christianity." In examining the causes of our half-empty churches the Primate laid particular emphasis on the need for a higher intellectual standard among the clergy. He singled out for condemnation the poor quality of most sermons. His strictures are no doubt justified ; when full allow- ance has been made for the other causes which divert men and women from church—the' need for more time in the open air under the pressing conditions of modern life, the attractions of motoring and golf and the greater number of Sunday amusements provided—it remains true that a man who can talk in an able and interestie:4 way will always have his audience. We have not the heart greatly to blame the clergy, for they arc grossly ill-paid, and in contrast with other occupations in life the clerical standard of intelligence has been falling instead of rising. The days are past, even in villages, when the parson was " the person "—the man who counted, who could put everybody in his place and could instruct everybody. If the clergy of to-day are to help in solving the real intellectual difficulties of their congregations, they must study more.
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