VILLAGE CHURCH TEACHING.
LTO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."f
Sin,—At a time when London is full of Congresses we are looking to see where any useful information may be obtained which might help us in our future work at home. Probably one of the most interesting subjects which has been dis- cussed in the Pan-Anglican Congress was "The Church and Humanity"; but I heard Dr. Parkin relate a narrative at the Royal Colonial Institute which ought to give encouragement • to our rectors and vicars. He was replying to a speech made by Lord Milner on the government of the Colonies, and in so doing remarked that he had recently given a lecture before the boys at Eton on the subject of the Dominion, and that subsequent to the lecture one of the masters approached him and said he would like to tell him the following story. He (the master) was a friend of Watts, who, while painting Mr. Rhodes, discussed big subjects with him, chiefly that of the moral training of the nation as it appears in the young men's character who leave the Old Country for the Colonies. The painter asked of the great Empire-maker if he had thought over the subject, and as to where he considered the training came from. Mr. Rhodes's reply was this : That he had given it much consideration, and be had come to the con- clusion that it was the result of the village church teaching. Let all ministers of the Gospel, therefore, take heart in their surroundings, and although it may not be seen within their parish, it is clear from the evidence of this great man that their work is having a truly noble effect.—I am, Sir, &c.,
WILLIAM HY. ALLZN.
1 Dean's Yard, Westminster Abbey.
Previous page
