"LOOKING FORWARD"
[To the Editor of the SPEcrAron.] SIR,—Miss Evelyn Underhill concludes her review, " Looking Forward," of Dr. Sheppard's book with these words : - When the first Bishops of the Church met in conference at Jerusalem we are told that the house in which they were assembled shook. Perhaps the best thing the Church can hope for Lambeth would be a renewal of that shake."
Now, Sir, as we all must agree with Miss Underhill that this is a blessed consummation devoutly to be wished for, Might I point out that the fourth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, to which Miss Underhill refers, mentions both a conference and a prayer meeting ? The conference was convened by the rulers, elders, and scribes ; the prayer meeting was of the Apostles. Regarding the former, we read that "they conferred among themselves "—how to circumvent the militant boldness of the young- apostolic Church ; regarding the latter it is recorded that "when they had prayed the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together ; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the Word_ of God with boldness"
(Acts iv. 23-31). -
Is there not here a very searching lesson, Sir,, to which we would all do well, in these accommodating days, to .take heed ; and need we go any further to inquire why the Church is preaching "a Gospel which is so stale and unconvinchig " ?
—I am, Sir, &c., A. E. CLARICE. Crescent Wood House, Sydenhatn Hill.
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