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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 19, No. 1. March 2, 1955

The Sermon On the Mount and 1955

The Sermon On the Mount and 1955

S.C.M.ers two hundred in number gathered at Dunedin recently for their annual Conference, which was centred around five studies on the fundamentals of Christian ethics under the title "What Shall We Do? The need to—Study the subject is certain: "Christian ethics are homeless in the world of today. In our secular age the different areas of life—political, economic, military, cultural—have become autonomous. Moral and religious considerations are a foreign intrusion. At best Christian ethics have been pushed out to the periphery of our so-called 'private life." But in doing this, "the world has for the first time shown what it really is. Its potentialities for self-destruction make even the horrifying visions of the Book of Revelation once more relevant".

The solution to this problem must be found in the application of Christ-Ian ethics to all aspects of modern society and a realisation that the Sermon on the Mount was meant for all generations. The Rev. Dr. Salmond pointed out In his address that "young New Zealand Christians have not the strong and vital grasp on the concrete Implications of their faith as have Christians in difficult situations, e.g., in Communist Hungary and Czechoslovakia."

The presence of different communions meant a separation of services but this disunity seemed shamed and dwarfed before the omnipotence of God. Unity was found, however, in the joint giving of thanks which was given to Him.

Speakers were: Dr. Peter McKenzie, Rev. Dr. F. Nicholis on Bible tutorials; Dr. Rex, on German Evangelistic Academies: Miss Freda Wilson (missionary in South India) on her experiences as a member of the Church of South India, where Anglican Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregationalist have Joined; Gordon Troup (CUC liaison officer) on South East Asia: and Dr. Edwardes. on Experimentalism in religion. Chaplain was CUC's Rev. D. D. Thorpe.