A Bold Plea

as the Church Failed ? By Kenneth Ingrain. (Philip Allan. 5e.)

fa. 1st:mat has written a book of unusual interest. It is ne that the clergy especially cannot afford to neglect. During he War,- and for a short period afterwards, vociferous cries hat the Chureh had failed were constantly heard. For the nost part they were vague, unthought-out denunciations, art of the hysteria of war, it would seem. Very opposite easons were adduced, which seemed largely to cancel one nether. These cries are not so audible to-day—partly eeause men have settled down to the difficult job of existing the earth in vastly changed circumstances, with the consequence that speculative problems and sweeping ideals have been put into cold storage by many. But the interest

in the beyond is there all the same. And, for those who

believe in the Church and its message, this state of things (accompanied, as it inevitably is, by a drift away from public worship) has raised the question more acutely than ever.

Really remarkable efforts at reorganization have been made in the Church itself, and much thought and energy have been

put into social problems and missionary demands, and a radical overhaul of the ecclesiastical machinery is still taking place. Meanwhile, the fundamental question remains, ominous and arresting. Is there enough steam in the boiler to make the engine go ? If not, why not ?

The importance of Mr. Ingram's book is that it tackles this essential problem with singular lack of prejudice and

lucidity. It is intended to rouse religious people from the

complacency that too easily besets them. His plea should be listened to the more readily because it comes from a layman who cares, from one, moreover, who is associated with a group in the Anglican Church that is most in danger of complacency, because they have achieved some measure of success. Mr. Ingram is an Anglo-Catholic. Popular opinion would identify him with the straitest sect thereof. But this book shows that he has struggled through to a liberal

positien, without in the least abandoning belief in the validity and value of his school of thought. This it is that makes his plea, especially cogent.

His first jolt to complacency is derived from statistics. They leave small comfort to any Church, whether it be

Anglican, Roman, or Nonconformist. The modern sects—

Spiritualist, Theosophist, Christian Science—fare no better ; in fact, worse. What are the causes that make all forms of religious organization seem like a sidetrack ? They are two- fold. The Churches' claim to be moral guides is regarded with scepticism, because in the past their judgments have often been proved wrong. " The trouble is that religion has

made what are, from the modern point of view, gross mistakes in its conclusion as to what is evil, and in its estimate as to

the comparative gravity of different evils." Therefore, when

it denounces divorce or birth-control, its authority is questioned. But the most significant criticism that

Mr. Ingram has to make is on the intellectual score. He is clear—perhaps too clear—that the fundamental test of any religion is in the intellectual sphere. But in all that he says about the danger of presenting a good case in an unintelligent

way there is much to be heeded. He does not want a religion for highbrows. But he cogently affirms the ordinary man's demand for reasonable ideas. It is not so much scholarship that is lacking—the scholar is often no thinker—as common sense, and a clear line of thought. " True mind is never dull." Mr. Ingram has evidently suffered much from the Anglo- Catholic preacher. " His mentality is painfully revealed the moment he enters the pulpit. It betrays one of the symptoms of small-mindedness, namely, a belief that extreme assertiveness is a proof of truth." There are still many people who crave for a Delphic oracle. But the rising tide of education decreases their numbers every day.

It is not only the Anglo-Catholic, however, who comes under his strictures. Mr. Ingram points out that the danger of caste dogs the footsteps of all ministers of religion. " The clergyman is surrounded by his own congregation and his co-religionists, and he is definitely cut off from the mass of the people outside." Dogmatism and the sectarian outlook repel- the modern man, who is convinced that the more profound a truth is the more will it possess various aspects. The refusal to recognize this breeds the controversial atmosphere, one of the products of which is Bishop Barnes. The dogmas of rationalism make as little appeal as those of the Churches. There is no prospect of the Church being forced to retire ditch by ditch till only agnostic secularism is left. " The religious claim is accepted in principle, however much the details may be in dispute." Mr. Ingram is convinced that the case for ultimate spirit, for miracles, prayer and sacrament is strong. But these things must be presented rationally, not oracularly. It is because Christian truth is permanent that it must be variously interpreted ; and this variety must extend to worship. The compre- hensiveness of the Church of England ensures this state of things. But he wishes for an extension of this compre- hensiveness. He has a theory as to how it can be achieved, which certainly looks more attractive in the setting that he now gives it than it has done before. Mr. Ingram is not afraid of a unity that will embrace profound differences. His book is designed to shake complacency. But to those who read it with sympathy it will bring more hope than