Kon-mombers eo.n obt&1n thilllubUodion from the Editor, POlt
tree, 2/- per &Ilnum
JULY, 1920.
Soutb Plac~ €tbical South Place, Moorgate Street, E. C.2.
C!lblect 01 tbe Society. "The Object of the Society is the
cultivation of a rational religious sentiment, the study Ol ethical
principles, and the promotion of human welfare, in harmony with
advancing knowledge."
MBMBJ.!RSHIV. A.ny person in sympathy with tho Object of tl,e
Society i. cordially invited to become
Il Member. Particulars of M~mber~hip may be obtained in tho Library
~rore and after the Sunday servires, or on npplieatlon to tbe Hon.
Registrnr, lliss L . .BUlIr(E, South Place Institute, Einshury,
E.O. 2.
aSSeel1l.TBS. Any person interested in the Society's work, but not
wishing to beoome a lI!em~r,
mny join ns nn associate. Particulnrs In"y be obtained from the
Hon. Itegistrar as above.
SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES. The following DISCOURSES will be delivered
on Sunday mornings,
Service beginning at ELEVEN O'CLOCK.
June 27.-R!ght Hon. JOHN M. ROBERTSON.-Industrial Ethics. Anthems
{1. Wnlk ye on ye hundred thousand
2. Song of Dcstiny .. .
Hymns { No. 1. Bc truc to m·cry inmost thought. No. 51. Haise your
standard, brothers.
Spohr no·a/una
July 4.-S. K. RATCLIFFE.-The .. Mayflower" and the Pilgrim Fathers.
Ant.hems {1. How Io\?ely arc tho mcs.:.ongers JlJcndels80ILn
2. The Pilgrim's Song TschnikoWBky
lIymns { No, 62. Looms there tho n w land. No. la. Men! whoso boast
It is that yc.
July ll.-JOSEPH McCABE.- The Decay of Literature. Anthems {l. Now
nriseth the sun of liberty
2. Onward, onward .. ,
Hymns { No.111. There is no <loath for that which dwells apart.
No. an. Life is onward-usa it.
JulY 18.-0. DELISLE BURNS, M.A. - International Finance. Anthems {
J. Whoso hath this worl<l's goods
2. llnst thon wnndored
Hymns { No. 43. H,,-,t tholl, 'midst Iile's empty noises. No. 121.
It surely i!l a. wasted heart.
July 25,-No Service. Organtst: 1I. S'IlTU WEnS'1'ER.
N.B.-The Services will be suspended till September.
.1!o:art S"tltva"
Calkin Cowe"
Vi.itara aro i""ited to obtain .nformation rcgardlllg th. Society
in the Library on Sunday morning"
A Col/ection 's made at each Service, to enable tlio.e prosent ta
contribute to U,a .. ,pcnse. of tli e Society
Cycli'LI deBiring to attend the Services arc informed tliat the
Committee ha". made arrangement. for hOlLsing their machines in the
'basement.
The Building is to be let for Meetings, etc, Forms of Application
ma.ybe had of the Caretaker, 11. South Place, E.C.; and when fllled
up should be sent to Mr. N. Lidatone, 96, Blac.ltstock Road,
Finsbury Park, N,4.
The Chapel lB llcensed for Marnagos, Arrangements can be made for
the conduct of Puneral Services on I.Ppl1cation
to t.b.e Secrotary.
Lending Library.
{ \,AtUS MANSFOIlD, Oherry Tl1C<l Court, 53, Aldc rsgat;e P .•
JA'fl<:!l, 6. MiflFOII HCR.d, S. nacknc,v. E,9, Mi'"l8 It.
LAN"OEJ.AAN. 26. Douglas Hoarl. N.l. Mrs. STEVEN~, 14790, Cln.pton
Oommon, E.5.
Rambles.
Str..,t, E .O.l.
Saturday, July 10.- Loughton and High Beech. Conciucted by Miss
LANGELAAN. Tal{e return ticket, to Loughton. TraIn from Liverpoo l
::;t-reet. 2.8.
Sunday, July 18 - Totteridge. Con,II1Clc(1 hy M,· •. CU'MI:N'l'S.
St . ,·, from 8, Finchl ey ~rn.y. Brent Oarlien Villa!.:c, Nether
:)treot, Church Hlln, Finchlcy, at 3.30. F riends liking to bring
thei r lunch t,hcre about 1.45 (urtc!' tiOl'vico' will he
wolcomed.
Sunday. July 25.-Marden Par k , Ox~ed, and Godstone. C"n,llIctcil
hy Mr. F. M. OVERY, Train fr(\m Charlng Cl'o,s lO'~'" or Londou
Ill'idgo (S.N. & C.Ry .), 10.33 Take sing le ticket to
Catorham, lIW~.
tV. T. WIXCEY, HOIl. SccrClut'Y, 63, Grovelands Road, Pulmels Green
, N,
Sunday Popular eoncerts (ehamber Music). Mr. RICI1ARD H. WALTnRw's
ThrEe Lectu res on "The Development of Cl,alllber MlUlie"
may be hnd, price Od. net complete. Post free, 7!d. lioll. Treas. ·
• FRANK A. HAWKINS, 13, Tburlow Park Rond, Dulwicb, S.E.21. lioll.
Scc. . ALFRED J. OLBMENTS, 8, FinchJey Way, Finchley, N.S. Hon.
A,st. Sec. - AIrs. CLEMEN'l'S, 8, ~'illchley Way, N. ~.
S outh Place f!)rchestra. Conductor: RICHARD H. WALTHEW.
There arc vacancies for lendiJlg 'Cello unci 2nd Flnte in the
above, Pleaso apply to: F. W. CANNING, Hon. Secr etary, 63,
KingshaU Road, B<!ckenbam
The GSNERAL COMMITTEE will meet on Thursdny, July 1. Correspondence
dealin g with matters for conside ration should be fonvarded to 1'.
M. OVEHY.Hon. 15ec .. 36, Oate l'hom
Road, Lewibhllrn, b.B.la, at the earl iest possible moment, .All
mattel"S flelo.ting to finance should be addressed to tbe Treasur
er
Scor etaries of sub·committees are notifif;'d that hnndbills
in~nded to be circula te d with the MONTHLY RECORD .bould
!>cdeliveren to tho Utopia Press, 44, Worship Street, E.O.2. It
i s hoped thn.t those secl'Ietaries who ho,"c addresses of persons
interEsted in their work (other thnn Members and .Associates) \Viii
communicate th em, with a view to suoh persons
receiving r,he ]\[ON1'ULY HIWORD r€'g'uln.rly.
EDITORIAL. FRENCH ONVJmSATION CLASS .-One of our members, Monsieur
G.
Duchesne, has been approached with the view of obtaining his belp
in instituting a French class in the coming autumn. He is unable to
accede to this request himself, but Madame Duchesne has very kindly
offered to assist in a conversation class-a class for beginners she
could not under. take. 'Vc, personally, shall be very pleased to
take advantage of this favourable opportunity of studying French,
and especially pronunciation, under tbe tuition of a Parisienne,
and we shall be g lad if others of a like mind will communicate
with us at an early date so that arrangements may be made in good
time.
DIVORCE LAW REFoRM.-The Divorce Law Reform Union, 55.56, Chancery
Lane, W.C.2, is condUcting a vigorous campaign against the
opposition of theology and tradition to the political measures
which aim at the reform and amendment of the laws relating to
marriage, divorce, and separation. The Secretary of the Union is
Mrs. M. L. Seaton Tiede. man, a name well known in the etbical
movement, and various leafl ets of the Union have been sent to us
by a prominent member of South Place, with tbe request that our
MONTHLY R~;COR]) shall call the attention of readers to the
activities of the Divorce Law Reform Union . ' Ve gladl " accede to
this request, and can only regret that wc personally are not mor~
competen t to do justice to the highly desirable objects for which
tbis Union stands. We bope, however, that our readers, who bave not
already done so, will communicate with Mrs. Tiedeman, who will, we
are sure, be p leased to send them copies of the literature
published by the Union and will also give sugge tions as to how its
work may be helped. Galsworthy's
3
latest play, "The Skin Game," incidentally illustrates luridly one
par ticular scandal involved in the present divorce law. 'VVe
refer to the fact that divorce is impossible without legal proof oL
misconduct. This con dition, obviously, was imposed on the ground
that, whatever other reasons may justify the cancelment of the
marriage bond, adultery must also have taken place. On the
supposition that this view is accepted, even then this condition is
found in practice to be attended by the gravest obj ections. In the
case of men and women of lax morals it simply paves the way for
further degradation--one adultery more or l ess matters not as long
as release from the existing marriage tie is obtained-while it adds
to the immorality of promiscuity the shockingly anti-social
immorality of the cold blooded arrangement of adultery for the
special purpose of gaining legal rights. In the case of men and
women oL continent ideals the results are perhaps even more
degrading. Tt often leads to an appalling outrage upon decent
behaviour, inasmuch as men and women, otherwise truthful and
honourable, are tempted, for the sake of obtaining freedom from an
intolerable union, to pretend they have committed adulter y when as
a matter of fact they have not. This pretence can only serve its
purpose if it is so put forward that .the D~vorce Court Judge can
accept the mis conduct as legally proven. That is la say, somebody
must be hired to figure as the co-partner in an adult~ry which
never took place, and con firmatory witnesses chambermaids, etc.,
must also be paid to take their part in this most odious
conspiracy. Surel y this example alone of the abuses to which the
pre ent divorce laws are subject is sufficient to warrant an
immediate and drastic change.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. MAY 30, 1920.
Mr. J ohn Aldred was appointed Chairman. The following letter from
Mr. Herbert Burrows to Mr . Overy was read to the meeting: "As you
know I am too ill to attend, which is a matter of very deep regret
to me. I always like to attend, and especially did I wish to do so
this year, in view of the new departures which the ociety will soon
have to face. I need not say how heartily I wish them success. I am
looking forward a little curiously, but still with confidence, to
the coming results. Much depends on the way the members throw
themselves heart and soul into the new venture, and on the way also
in which we can gather new, eager and active spirits round us .•
This, of course, we are sure of: that ethics and the movement
whatever happens will go on. Sometimes I sit in my sick room and
pis:ture to myself the r eal strength of ethics and the movement,
and I am bold enough to paraphrase Tennyson, 'Our littl e systems
have their day and cease to be, but Truth is wider far than they,
and Truth can never cease to be.' Truth is the essence of the
ethical movement, and Truth can never cease to be; as long as human
beings r emai n Truth must be the foundation of all real life. For
that Ethical Life we have two firm stays never to be sh aken, the
Brotherhood of Humanity and the promotion of human welfare. These
depend on no system, but are the continual widening out of the true
human heart. Tn the certain confidence and hope that wherever the
physical home of South Place Ethical Society is this will be its
real aim and that whether its members be young or old they will
ever have it in view, I remain, with love and best wishes to you
all, Your sincere friend, Herbert Burrows."
T'he Ch airman, in moving the adoption of the Repol·t, said that
the minutes of the previous meeting made him think somewh a t sadly
that the bright prospects to follow the ,Var which were then
anticipated had not materialised. Dealing with the sale of the site
Mr. Aldred remarked that the facts were known to many members. The
site was about to be sold to the School of Oriental Studies, and,
although the negotiations were not completed , it was hoped the
technical difficulties would be surmounted at an early date. It was
also expected that we should be able to obtain the tenancy of the
Chapel for, say, a yeflf or two, at a reasonabl e rent, but no
definite arrangement had yet been actually settled . Turning to
other
4
matters, the Chairman claimed that the high standard of the Sunday
morning lectures had been well maintained, both with regard to the
subjects chosen and to the method of treatment. He wished to refer
parbcularly to the Tuesday evening Lectures, and in this connection
to congratulate heartily one of our own members, Mr. Christie Tait,
on his series of lectures on Modern European History. He also
congratulated Mr. elements on the great success of the Concert
Season just concluded, while in deploring the loss the Concerts had
sustained by the death of John Saunders, he was able to add his
personal testimony to the affection and admiration with which John
Saunders was regarded in musical circles. In speaking of the
Lending Library Mr. Aldred paid a tribute to the unremitting work
of Miss Mary Rawlings. He thought tbe Library would play an
important part in the joint scheme with the Rationalist Press
Association. It was proposed to house it in the same room with thc
H.P.A. Library and make that room a kind of club rendezvous for
visitors from the provinces and from all parts of the world.
Heferring to the impending resignation of Miss Florence Law from
the post of Registrar, he expressed the gratitude of tbe members
for her work, and emphasised the importance of the office of
Registrar, especially in welcoming and introducing new members to
tbe Society. In speaking of finance ,he warned the members against
a misapprehension that there was no occasion to appeal for funds in
view of the forthcoming proceeds of the sale of the site. It must
be remembered that we must not live on our capital. Our forefathers
had pro vided us with a home. It was our duty to keep that
inheritance intact and to pay our way from current income as we
went along. In his concluding remarks Mr. Aldred .leplored the loss
of old members by death, and added that we needed young members to
carry on the work.
The Treasurer, Mr. F. W. Read, emphasised the Chairman's advice as
to the necessity of maintaining the means of the Society, and
commented upon the chief items in the accounts, explaining that the
favourable financial position of the Society last year, as compared
with that for the year under review, was due to exceptional
circumstances. This year we were about £90 worse off than last
year, there being a deficit of about £40. He also reminded members
that tbe investments as set out in the present accounts were
entered at market value inst£ad of at cost as previously.
Mr. Wallis Mansford spoke of the success of the Rawlings
Presentation Soiree, and paid a tribute to the valuable work of Mr.
Aldred in the negotiations for the sale of the site. He suggested
that Literary Soirees should be organised in bhe forthcoming
autumn, and said that the Soiree Secretary, Miss Gowing, had
approved of his proposals.
Mr. W. Varian regretted the sale of the site and criticised the
action of tbe Society In selling in view of the fact that so small
a proportion of the members were present when the decision was
made. He wished to know what obstacles were impeding the completion
of the sale. Were the facts being kept back from the members? He
then denounced what he considered to be the unsanitary condition of
the Chapel, and asked why we should not rebuild on the present site
in co-operation with the School of Oriental Studies. He thought the
Trust Deed might present difficulties in the sale of the
site.
Mr. C. J. Pollard said that if ever he felt inclined to vanity and
pdde with regard to the Society he al ways felt chastened in spirit
after listening to Mr. Varian. As for keeping facts back from the
members, he knew no Society whose Committees were more keen upon
taking the members into counsel whenever important 2_ction was
contemplated.
Mr. F. W. Read pointed out that whatever technical difficulties
there mig·ht be with regard to completion of the sal e, there was
not and never had been the slightest doubt as to our power of sale
under the Trust Deed. The reason why we could not resist being
rated was not because we could not claim to be a religious
organisation, but because the Chapel was not wholly devoted to
religious worship.
Miss F. A. Law, referring to our Sunday morning lectures, thought
too many of them were political or semi-political in
character.
Mr. H . W . Unthank also pleaded for a greater number of scientific
lectures.
I .:
J
The following members were appointed to the General Committee: Miss
Burke, Miss G. Gowing, F. James, 1Iiss Langelaan, Mrs. IIolyoake
Marsh, Mrs. Stevens, D. C. Tait, and E. Snelling.
C. E. Fairhall and W. T. Wixcey were appointed auditors. The
present five lecturers of the Society were re-appointed nemo con
.:
C. Delisle Burns, M.A., IIerbert Burrows, John A. Hobson, M.A.,
Joseph McCabe, and S. K. Ratc1iffe.
Sub-Committees for the year 1920-21 have been appointed as follows:
Bllildillg.-Messrs. Errington, Lidstone, \Vallis Mansford,
Snelliog, and
F . H. Mansford (S e,,·etary). COllcert COlllllliftee.-Miss A.
Bentley, Miss L. Burke, Mrs. Clements,
Miss n. M. Fairball, Mi ss l'. Fenton, Mrs. Hicks, Miss H.
Hochfeld, Miss A. M. IIowship, Miss H. Langelaan, Miss L. M. Simes,
Miss E. ·i.Jnons, Miss F. J. imons, Miss P. Sne1Jing, Mrs. Tait,
Messrs.
F. \V. Canning, E. unningham, F. A. Hawkins, H. C . S. Hicks, I'.
James, A. Jermy, C. E. Lister, W. Maidstone, F. St. Aubyn, D. C.
Tait, "T. \ Tarian, S. H. \Voolhouse, and A.1- Clements
(Secretary).
Discussioll.-Miss Fairhall, Miss Langelaan, Miss A. Law, Miss F. A.
Law, and Me srs. V\allis Mansford and C. J. Pollard .
Lelldillg Library.-Miss L. Burke, .Miss G. Cowing, Miss R. Halls,
Miss A. IIowship, Miss F. A. Law, Miss F. J. Simons, Mrs. \Vade,
Miss \Yellington, Mrs. Stevens (HOII. Treasurer), Miss H.
Langelaan, Mr. F. James, and Mr. Wallis Mansford (Hon.
Librariall).
i11embers .-Miss J3urke, r-.1iss Fairhall, Miss La'1gelaan, Miss F.
A. Law, Mi s F. J. imons, Mrs. Unthank, and Me srs. A. J. Clements
and C. J. Pollard, Miss A. arpenter (Secretary).
i11usic.-Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Clements, Miss G. Gowing and Mr. H. B.
Gowing (Secretary).
PlIbllcatiolls.-Miss Halls, Miss IIlmman, Miss Keyte, 11rs.
Holyoake Marsh, Mrs. Unthank, and Messr . Unthank and E. Snelling
(Secretary).
Rambles.-Miss Fairhall, Mi ss G. Gowing, Miss Langelaan, Mrs.
Richards, Mrs. Tait, and Messrs. Errington, Lidstone, Richards,
Tait, Unthank, \Voolhouse, and \'\T. T. Wixcey (Secretar,')'
Solr8( .-11iss L. Burke, Mrs. F enton, Mrs. Lidstone, Mi,s
Langel~al1. Miss Raftery, and Messrs. Gowing, Vlallis Mansford and
C. J. Pollard, Miss G. Gowing (Secretary).
Tuesday J.ectllrc.<.-Miss Bentley, Miss Fairhal1, Miss
Langelaan, Miss F . J. Simons, Mrs. Tait, and Messrs. James, C. J.
Pol1ard, and Tait.
Ex-Officio .- Joticps of m etings should be sent to the Hon.
Treasurer and Hon. SecretaTies of tIlt' Society, who are membel's
of all these sub committees.
CONFERENCE OF MODERN RELIGIOUS THINKERS.
JUNE 4 AND S' 1920.
Mr. Harry SneIJ, the indefatigable Secretary and Treasurer, at the
close of the onierence, said he was glad it was over. He did not
mean in any sense that the Conference was a thing well out of the
way, but that he was pleased the work and responsibility of
organising it was over, and more particularly h~ was thankful to be
relieved of Ilhe great anxiety he had felt as to its success. Even
until the opening day he had wondered with trepidation if more than
a very few people would attend. Mr. Snell's natural anxiety as to
the public support the Conference would receive was we imagine
entirely dissipated. The spacious and decorative Council Chamber of
Caxton Hall was filled at all the four Sessions by an audience who
maniiest?d the )(eenest interest in the papers read and in the
subsequent disC'l1ssions. Tbe speakers were of varied and diverse
views. There were present members of many religious, ethical and
fre· thought bodies, and we were addressed bv Catholics, Anglicans.
Nonconformists, Unitarians, Theists, . piritnalists,- Theosophists,
Po. itivists, Ethicists, Secularists, also
I
,. 6
Buddhists and Moslems. The Conference was for the time being a
league of faiths, even if the bond of union were only a desire for
friendly discussion of subjects of common interest. To tbis limited
extent the Conference was an actual fulfilment of a leading
aspiration of the Com mittee responsible for calling it together,
that of union among groups holding progressive religious views. But
against this aspect of the Conference must be set a tendency among
the speakers to attack unsympa thetically the faiths of otbers
present. Hostile criticism bas, of course, an important and
valuable part to play in the intellectual life, but is surely out
of place in a Conference intended to promote unity. Does not the
chief hope of success in such an endeavour lie in the direction of
emphasis ing points of agreement rather than in accentuating
points of difference?
Vve do not propose to attempt an account of the Conferenc" . The
official record of the proceedings, including reports of the papers
read, will appear in "The Humanist" for July. We strongly recommend
our readers to obtain a copy. We arc confident they will find it
most interesting and instructive reading, while it will also
provide a notable chapter in the history of modern reli~ious and
ethical thought. \Ye wish to add only a few personal impressions.
In our opinion the Second Session, which discussed" Tbe need for a
common ba is for a universal religion: personal and social," was
the most fruitiul in arousing thoughts bearing upon the main
purposes of the Conference. Tbe question raised in this Session is
on a large scale the same problem which confronted those who
sought, by means of this Conference, to develop the idea of unity
among schools of modern religious thought. It now behoves the
members of this Committee, after due reflection upon the results of
the Conference, to ask themselves the question, "Is there a basis
sufficiently common to all concerned to justify further similar
action?" We are strongly inclined to give an affirmative answer,
but a constructive and detailed reply is also needed. ' Vill some
mind with a gift for harmonising diverse bel iefs and the varied
intellectual and temperamental idiosyncrasies of human nature
kindly build up a common platform from the papers read and the
speeches made? It appears to the present writer than such an
endeavour must seek to discover the essential principles of each
school which are common to all. It must then re-state these
essential principles in terms of ordinary, cultured criticism of
life, abjuring as far as po sible the use of language of sEctarian
significance. And finally, it must discover whether such a
presentment of desectarianised principles is generally acceptable
as a basis for a certain measure of united action. C. J.
POLLARD.
LITERARY SOIREES AND THE LENDING LIBRARY.
In view of the contemplated holding of th ree Literary Soirees in
the autumn, dealing with the Life and Work of Rupert Brooke and Ch
arles Dickens, and John Drinkwater's Play, "Abraham Lincoln," it
has been suggested it wtlUld be helpful if these authors were more
f ully represented on the shelves of the Society's Lending Library,
and to this end the Librarians desire to say that the following
books will be specially wel- corned: •
« Collected Poems of Rupert Brooke and Memoir," 105. Gd. net .
"Rupert Brooke's Letters from America," with Preface by Henry J
ames,
TOS. Gd. net. "John Webster and the Elizabethan Drama," including
Rupert Brooke's
Fellowship Dissertation, Kin g's College, Cambridge, 19s. 3d. John
Drinkwater's play, "Abraham Lincoln," and other works of the
same author . Works appertaining to the Life and Work of Charles
Dickens. Gifts of books or money to aid in the,ir purchase will be
gladly wel
comed by the Honorary Librarians, who are desirous of making the
Library a useful adjunct in connection with the forthcoming
fixtures.
\ \
, .~
ESSENTIALS: THE THINGS THAT BELONG UNTO OUR PEACE.
CONCLUSION OF LECTURE DELIVEREP BY JOH.'! RUSSELL, M.A., MARCH 28,
1920.
A single shipwreck-nay, a thousand shipwrecks, though they rob us
of all we hold dear, bring no doubt of the trustfulness of the
sea--only a renewed sense of its difficulties and dangers, and a
renewed determination to overcome them.
We know how little at the best we know. And we know also that, even
while most earnestly seeking to know) there will be much failure
and much suffering-failure and suffering from which there is no
escape. In that provisional, inevitable suffering it is our wisdom
to acquiesce. That is life as we know it-not as it will always be,
but as it is now. That is a part of the price of life. And to pay
that price without grudging is perhaps the first of the essentials
of our peace.
But that price is not to be paid, that peace is not to be attained
(though I need hardly say so here) by shutting out the world, by
retiring into some spiritual desert for solitary meditation and
self·cleansing, but rather by going down again and again into the
arena, girt with more and more of knowledge, with more and more of
love, and with more and more of faith-faith in the ultimate
reconciliation of men.
That unceasing strife, and that unbreaking faith, are also (I hold)
among the essentials of our peace.
By "essentials," then, I mean spiritual essentials. Material
essentials there are none. Material needs, yes, from bread and
butter to the faces we love. But we shall be judged, in the supreme
court of Humanity, not by the material things we possess, but by
our spiritual uses of them. And from those spiritual uses there
issues--or there does not issue our spiritual peace.
Do not misunderstand me. I believe in material things. I am no ,sce
tic. I do not mortify the fie h. I place the pleasures of the
senses, indeed, if not abused, among the legitimate satisfactions,
the legitimate aims, of life. I have had much material enjoyment,
and I look forward to more. But that enjoyment, in itself, bears no
essential relation to, is no essential part (if any part), of my
peace. The greatest blackguards alive (it would not be easy to find
them) would almost certainly beat any of us ordinary folk in the
satisfyings of the flesh, yet be left far behind in the satisfyings
of the spirit-in which alone is peace.
It may be urged that food, at least, is materially essential to a
man's peace, because, if that fails, he will starve and his peace
with him. That is true. But it is equally true of the material
earth on which we tread, of the material sun which sustains that
earth, of the material universe which sustains that sun. Those are
indeed material essentials, but so obvious, and for the most part,
so beyond our control, that for my present purpose I may ignore
them.
"Beyond our control"! Have I at last, almost by accident, hit upon
the word of words, the key·word to all I mean, the great word of
moralists in all ages-self-control? Yes. But I want the control of
self, wbich already makes most of us decent citizens, to be carried
further, into the deeper spheres of the spirit, where its working
would transform the merely decent citizen into the decent
neighbour: parent and child, schoolmaster and pupil, employer and
employed, seller and buyer, brother and sister, friend and friend,
husband and wife.
And now to a close. For all my experience, I am still a believer in
that old saying of the wise that "experience teaches "-in spite of
the modern youthful cynicism that it teaches very badly.
And so I have no hesitation in offering for your guidance to you,
especially who are only now setting out on life--our sea of
troubles-some of the deepest lessons from the experience of one who
has voyaged before you and is already coming into
port-weather·beaten and unseaworthy but in his heart all the old
joy and a deeper peace. '
The first lesson is this: That one of the greatest sources of our
personal unhappiness is that in addition to the inevitable
suffering that results from
8
the basic conditions of life (ignorance, selfishness, pain, death)
we almost unconsciously create for ourselves (and others) much
unnecessary additional suffering by the undue importance we attach
to things that in themselves do not yitally matter. When something
goes wrong (not exactly as we would have had it go, that is), it is
a most salutary spiritual discipline to ask ourselves, first, how
far the wrongness really matters to any of the vital things of life
(truth, justice, friendship, health), and second, how far it can be
corrected (if worth correcting) without blame, or anger, or
sarcasm, or revenge, or any other of the instinctive and
traditional reactions-in_ fallible provokers of hurt feelings, and,
too often, of reprisals. A frank friendly discussion on equal terms
(human being to human being) of such mistakes or wrongs as must be
discussed, and of the possibilifies of righting them; and the
exercise of a generous forbearance by the spiritual superior (there
is no other) and the broken peace may often be mended.
Another of the deepest convictions of my life is this-that whatever
our chart of life, there is but one unfailing star, goodness, and
one unfailing compass-our own soul. Custom, convention, tradition,
public opinion, authority even, may have their uses. If we are
free, they may serve us. If they enslave us, we are lost.
Again, each of us is a spiritual self, adventuring among other
spiritual selves. All selves are equal. Good is the love and
service of others in :Sorgetfulness of self. Evil the love and
service of self in despite of others.
And again, body and soul are one. Exalt the body, you exalt the
soul. Degrade, misuse the body, and the soul sinks in a deeper
degradation.
Lastly, peace, like the kingdom of heaven (it is the kingdom of
heaven) is within us. There is no peace, nor ever will be, in the
world. The strong spirit, for all the evil, breathes an atmosphere,
is a child, of peace. The weak spirit, for all the good, breathes
the atmosphere, is the child, of war. And the strength of the
spirit is conditioned by three states of faith: a faith of loyalty
to the material universe (in all its indifference); a faith of
reverence for the body and spirit of man (in all their frailty);
and a faith of contribution (in all the impenetrable darkness of
eternity) to man's unceasing growth in wisdom and happiness.
A spirit so compact is a spirit that can never fail. Whatever the
buffetings, it will pre ently swing back to its poise of
peace.
IN MEMORIAM.-W. F. THOMAS. \Ve regret to have to announce the death
of Mr. VV. F. Thomas, of
.
Mr. W. F. Thomas attended South Place regularly when Mr. W. J. Fox
and Dr. Conway were the ministers, and even up to recent times came
at intervals when his health permitted. His generous support to the
Society enables us to recall that one sign of his attendance was
the presence of gold in the collecticn.
He was ducated at University College, invented the Thomas sewing
machine, and many other contrivances for the saving of wearisome
manual labour, and when he retired from business in r885 he handed
it over to his employees in its entirety, allowing them to continue
to use his name. For the last 30 years he lived at Bishopshalt,
Hillingdon, and his beautiful home and grounds were always open to
those who could claim his acquaintance, and the present writer and
members of his family retain pleasant recollections of his old
world and kindly hospitality when showing them over his beautiful
conservatories and flower gardens.
Space will not permit of detailed references to hi many interest,
astronomy, photography, gardening and horticulture claimed his
attention, and he took a keen interest in local matters and was one
of the founders of the National Liberal Club .
It is well to record th e loss of such a friend to the Society, for
although he was not personally known to many present day members,
when well over 80 years of age he persevered in his attendance on
Sunday mornings, notwithstanding the long journey to and from the
City from Hillingdon, near Uxbridge. WALLIS MANSFORD.
9
ORIENTAL SCHOOL IN LONDON. SOllTIl PUCE INSTITliTE BouenT.
The Governing Body of the London School of Oriental Studies,
Finsbury Circus, has purchased tbe South Place Institute, tbe
headquarters of the Ethical Society, for additional class-room
accommodation.
The institute abuts on the lecture baJl of the school. The number
of students has grown to nearly 300, and the ,8 class-rooms are all
too few, so that further provision has to be made in passages or
lobbies never intended for the purpose. It is understood Lhat the
purchase price is remarkably moderate, having regard to the value
of the site for business purposes. But it is in keeping with the
traditions of the Ethical Society, now that it is moving westwards,
that the building, with close on a century of history behind it,
should be used for purposes calculated to promote understanding and
goodwill between different raczs.
South Place Chapel was built in 1824 for William Johnson Fox tbe
Unitarian preacher, politician, and man of letter, and it pas ed
later to the control of the Positivists. The name of Moncure D. Con
way figures prominently in its history. In recent years it has been
best lmown for the cia sical 'unday evening concerts whicb have
brought the best music within reach of the poorest, sinGe seats
have-been free. The details of adapting the institute to its new
purpose have to be settled and it may not be taken over for some
months. Meanwhile an appeal will be issued for providing Lhe cost
and building up a substantial endowment fund for the school.
Another gratifying announcement is that the Treasury, on the recom
mendation of the University Grants Committee, have increased the
annual grant from £4,000 to £7,000 for the next two years, pending
the quinquennial readjustment. The additional resource is to be
utilised for augmenting as far as possible the salaries of the
teaching staff with a view to approximation to the standard set by
the University of London.
Sir Denison Hoss, the director, has received from the Sultan of
Egypt the Order of the Nile, Second Class, for his work for the
encouragement of Oriental studies.-" The Times," April 22,
H)20.
N .B.-Mr. F. M. Overy wrote to "The Times" correcting tbe statement
as to outh Place having passed to the control of the Po itivists,
and the correction was duly published.-ED.
CORRESPONDENCE. RcspoIIsibilily for I!le opilliolls e.rpress,·"
IIl1der lhis !lcadill,!.!, resls ,olcl)' wil!l
tile 7t'rilcrs. To the Editor of the MONTnLY RECORD.
L TERNATIONAL MORAL EDUCATION CO);,GRESS AND THE LEAGl'E OF KATJOK
.
HE VISCOUNT BUYCE'S LETTER.
Yes, most people approve of a League of "'ations to eliminate war
from the world. All people approve of genuine, true, coin; but all
disapprove of counterfeit, base, metal. An increasing number think
the existing League a decoy, a deceit, not at all so innocent as
Viscount Jhyce and others think . Like the great American nation
many object to the" Form and Content of the League of Nations
Covenant." Do the authors themselves believe in it? Their acts show
that they do not. In what respect are things changed as a result of
this League? Less armies, less navies, le s secret diplomacy? Less
fears, more trust and confidence, more friendship between nations?
I trow not.
Look at one of its term. The Briti 11 Empire is to !have six votes
in the Assembly: all other peoples one vote. Is it to be wondered
at that America and others have" discovered ' this precious
Covenant. 1 am convinced that many who approve tbis League have not
read, much less studied, the Covenant of the League.
It is a fraud, an "exit," designed to fail, and by its failure
discredit a real League.-Truly, R. F. MACr;:.
10
HeNeRllRY eFFH~ERS,
Trio, .. ,.... ... ... F. W. RUD, 65, Harley Road, Hn.rle.den,
N.W.IO. Seortt4rie. {Mrs. C. Fr.RTCRER SM:ITR. 17. Sydenbam Park.
S.E. 26.
... }'. M. Onmy, 36, Caterbam Hoad, Lewisbam, S.E.J3. neui.trar 0'
Members and}
Auociate. ... MI~S L. BUl'RP, 131 Sunderland Rood, Forest ITill,
'.E .23.
Edilor of MOlllhly Reeo,'(/. O. J. POLLAnD, .. Shanklin," Th.
Avenue, Obingford, E.4.
{ WALLIS 1I1ANsronD, Cherry 'rree Court, 53, Aldersgate St.,
E.O.I.
TAbrarian. ... F. J AMES, 6, Minson Road. S. Hackney. ]]),0. Miss
H. LONGEr.AAN 26. Douglas Road. N.!.
Tr.amre" and Trustees { JonN Atnn.D, 53, Berners Street. Oxford
Street, W.l. 0' the Rebuilding Fund E. CONNINGBAM, 52, Bow Lane,
Oheapslde, E.OA.
MISS . \. BENTLEY lllSS JJ. BOnKE .\. J. CJ.DIO/1'S E. OUNNING
llA)I
E. To' . ERltINGTON. Jl[rbs H. M. FAIRllALr,
Bullding Concert
New Members:
e(,)MMITTEE.
MISS G. COWING " '. ~r . HA-RYEI' ]', J A~IES MIliB H. TJJ\NGELAAN
l\11~S :F'. A. TJAW
". CmSTONE Mus. HOLrO,lse MmSD
Secretaries of Sub.(!ommltteclI.
lIf,s T,. Ill. SDltS ?\hSH }', J. ,lUONS E. NEtLING MRB. • T.:YEI\S
MRS. UNTH4.~~ D. C. l',\]T
F. H"UnlnT MANsFonD, Wnlden, Kingsend, Rui.lip. ALFR"D J. Or .•
MENTs, B, Finchley Way, Brent Gorden Village,
Churoh End, Finchley, N,3. MissH. M. P.UlIHAI.L,8, Scnrboro Road,
NA. Miss A. CA nPENTEll. 356, Camden Road, N.7. H. n. GOWTNG, 53,
Stamford Hill, N.I6. E. SNttl.ING, B, Arnoorley Road. Leyton, E.IO.
W. T. WrxCF.Y, 63, Grovelands Road, Palmers Green, N.13. Miss GnAcE
GOWING, 302. Dlllston Lane. Haekney, E.B. J,.. M, OVEnr, 3G,
Caterharn Road, Lewishom, S.E.13.
1111', J. W, NEW'l'ON, 15, Lady Somerset Read , Kcntlsh Town,
N.W.S. Mr, A, G. PIU1'cHAnD, 3, Pont Street, ITnmpstead,
N.W.3.
New Associates: Mr. ll. GmsoN, c/o Messrs. W. llcfford It Sons,
Ltd" Cambridge,
Changes of Address: Mr. W, T. llARVEl:, 91, Rosemary Road,
C1aeton·on Sea. 1II1ss T. SWORN, Wilton Jlouse, 16:;. ITighbury New
Park, N.S. Mr. A. E. ANDERSON, .. Persevere," 75, Stockwell Park
Road, S, W.9.
JULY
I General Committee 6.30 p.m. 4 Service ... rr.o a.m,
10 Ramble: Lon,ghton and High Beech, meet Liverpool St. 2.8
p.m.
II Service r 1.0 a,m. 18 Service ... 11.0 a.m,
18 Ramble: Tolteridge (see page 2). 25 No Service ...... _ 2S
Ramble: Marden Park, Oxted,
and Godslone. Charing X 10,25, orLondon B'dgc. 10.33 a.m.