A DAY OF INTERCESSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2655, 29 December 1915, Page 9

A DAY OF INTERCESSION

The Archbishop of Canterbury and York issued at the beginning of November the following notice:— — ' . "The first Sunday in this year was observed with almost universal acceptance as a special day of intercession in connection with the war. It is proposed that the opening of the coming year shall iu all our parishes be marked in a similar way. Sumday, January 2, 1918, being set apart in our churches and cathedrals for solemn intercession to Almighty. God and for thankful recognition of the-devotion which has been forthcoming iii the manhood and womanhood of the country. With a view to a really thoughtful use of so solemn ah occasion we propose that wherever possible the observance should begin on the two preceding days: that . Friday, December 31, the closing day of the year, should be kept as a day of selfdenial and of penitence for the 'manifold sins and shortcomings whereof we are conscious as a people, and that on Saturday (New Year's Day), at such times as may be most convenient, services should be held and opportunity given for quiet in preparation lor the Holy Communion and ,other' services of the Sunday thus specially appointed. .>\ . We are permitted to state that this proposed observance of the opening Sunday of the New Year meets with tho entire approbation and endorsement of His Majesty the King. . . . We have already communicated to the authorities of other Teligious denominations in England the proposal we are making for the observance in this way of the opening days of the coming year, and it is out hope that the whole nation may thus be moved at a solemn hour to turn to Him Who is our hope and strength." The Bishop of Wellington has cordially taken up the suggestion of the English Archbishops, and wherever it is possible the Anglican clergy in his diocese are holding special services of intercession next Sunday, and are also holding preparatory ssrvices on Friday and on New Year's Day. The Federal Government of Australia has (according to a cable that appeared in Monday's issue) appointed January 2 as a day of ppecial prayer throughout the Commonwealth for Divine guidance to aid the Allies.