LECTURE.

Evening Star, Issue 3257, 29 July 1873, Page 2

LECTURE.

Last evening the Right Rev. Dr Nevill, Bishop of Dunedin, gave a lecture at the Masonic Hall on the present position of the Church of England. His Honor Judge Chapman was .in the chair. In a few remarks he (the Chairman) alluded to the origin of the Church of England as an outgrowth from the Church of Rome, three hundred years ago. Since that time a vast number of Christian sects had separated from the Church of England, which caused Voltaire sarcastically to designate the English as a people of one hundred religions, and only one fish sauce. Within the last century the number of fish sauces had multiplied, without diminishing the number of religions. Various, however, as were the Christian sects, there wore a number of principles on which they all agreed, and the problem was, how their minor differences could be reconciled and their union effected. His Lordship would probably address himself especially to that subject. Tne Bishop, after alluding to the probability that his remarks would be objected to by members of Nonconformist Churches, explained that he felt it his duty to set forth the claims of the Church of England, in order that the prejudices and ignorance prevailing on the subject might be answered. He asked forgiveness if his language, in the course of his remarks, shouli appear assumptive, for he did not imagine he was addressing an audience lost in Egyptian darkness. The neocssity for a clear exposition of the subject was shown by a Nonconformist, in conversation with a member of the Church of England, mistaking a prayerbook for the Bible in use in the Church of England. The term “ Protestant,” applied by others to the English Church, had been tacitly accepted by her, although originally applied to a particular sect in the 16th century. It was to be regretted ; as it seemed to rank the Church as one of the many sects that then arose. To many minds, in fact, the existence of State acknowledgment constituted the chief difference. He trusted, for the sake of England, that there would never be a separation of the Church from the State. But the Church of England had a historical basis for its claims. What was year Church before Luther ? was a question so constantly put to illiterate people in large towrs that they began to look into the matter. Bj a natural course of definition lie arrived at the conclusion that the English Church, in which he included the Church :n the British Isles, on the Continent of Aimrica, and wherever the Episcopal Church was planted, occupied that middle position in which truth was always found, and in respect of which she refused to acknowledgt the doctrines of Rome, as she had derivec her authority in a direct line from the Apostles. The Church was bound to maintain h«r position, and could not surrender it to the fr.-grnents of churches by which she was surrounded. He admitted Christ was preached ly them, and he would go farther. Those whowere of one faith and one baptism were memters of the Catholic Church, whether they agreel with it or not; for the Church held that n> one should cease membership with it on accomt of involuntary errors. God forbid that any vords of his should seem to narrow the covenait of God in Christ; for many would sit in the Kingdom of God with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whom they knew not, whether they desiwd their company or not. But his object was not to speak of the salvation of individuals, mt of differences of religion and Church plity. The subjects must be kept distinct, ftherwise errors would inevitably occur. The Chu'ch was established on the commission given tothe Apostles by Christ to go into the world aid preach the gospel, and that command ■was no to be lightly disregarded. He was aware that his words would be received by many rith a contemptuous sneer; they would condenn an English Bishop for preaching “Apotolical Succession,” a doctrine exploded long go with trie arguments by which it is suppeted. How long ago? he would ask. Investiation shewed that the English Church stiefched in an unbroken line from the Apostles, and through the Apostles reached Christ himself The Church combined Evangelical teachingwith Apostolic history, aud had Christ-ap-ponted sacraments anti a pure liturgy. That w« the true position of the English Church. Tie Church was a corporation founded by Grist himself, which he specially directed bs Apostles to foster, by direct instruction, and to- the revelation of inspiration afterwards. In .bedience to that command, the Apostles sent #rth others. That was a general defence of ■he agency employed. The opposite view was that the Church consisted of a voluntary aggregation of individuals, concurring in certain opinions and practical conclusions. The first view refers its origin to God, the second to man.

[The Bishop having concluded the first division of the lecture, Mr A. Towsey played a sonata on the piano, in good taste and style.] On resuming the lecture, the Bishop said he was about to set before his auditors the true position of the Church in respect to the nations by which Christianity was professed; and first he would allude to its relation with the Greek or Eastern Church, comprising almost the whole population of Russia and Asia Minor. The Greek Church had retained in all ages since its establishment a purer faith than the Western Church. It was true errors and superstitions had crept in, but it had maintained its doctrines against all opposition, and Christ’s banner had never been trampled on by the Moslem. There was so much in common between the Greek and English Churches that the Archbishop of Canterbury had sent a letter to the Eastern Churches, through the Patriarch of Constantinople, when convening the Pan-Anglican Synod, which assembled in 1867. The letter was received courteously, and a fitting reply was sent. That was one of many steps towards a union of Churches. The sentiments expressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Greek Patriarch were not merely the ideas of one or two individuals in advance of their time. All who had visited those Churches spoke in warm terms of their reception. The Rev George Williams visited not only the Patriarch but many other bishops in Palestine, and everywhere the subject of conversation was how to promote unity of the Churches. The American part of the Church of England Communion had been more active than the English in endeavoring to promote the work, and Evangelical schools had been established and conducted by missionaries from the American Church. Children were instructed in the parish schools, and gave indication of extensive knowledge of prophetic history. Another result was that in Athens a meeting was held, when 644 married clergy formed themselves into an association for the promotion of religious knowledge, as well as forming schools for children in different parishes. The Nestorians and Armenians too had made direct appeals to the English Church to shed its light upon them, and bring them back to the truth. In the North of Europe, the Church of Scandinavia might be accounted one with that of England, and steps had been taken for inter-communion, the Bishop of Illinois having taken part in an Episcopal act with the Bishop of Stockholm. This was of the more importance, as New Zealand Was likely to have Scandivanians as colonists. Iceland also was ready to form a union, and the King of Denmark had taken steps to" remove a Stumbling block in the way of such a union with the Danish Church. Those were the beginnings ; but who could predict the end ? In Germany, Prance, Spain, and Italy similar movements were on foot ; and even in the Roman Catholic Church there were reforming clergy, as was evident by the great gathering on the subject at Cologne, at which several English Bishops—the Bishop of Lincoln, Bishop Wordsworth and others—were present. Bishop Sclwyn was to have been there but was prevented. At some of the meetings mote than 4,000 person's were present. The true position of the Church of England was to present a protection against Ultramontane Roman Catholics, and to restore unity to Christendom. The Chutyh Liturgy was before the world, and the commerce and political relations of Britaip invested her with influence throughout the universe. The Church should use

influence; without intermeddling or tryin to do for others what it was better they should do for themselves, but by example point out a common ground of union with Christ, homo gay that process is so slow, that it will never be accomplished in our day. But was that day? It was for man to work out God’s purpose, but a patchwork union would not do. Ibe true position of the Church was to be a finger post to point to God’s authority. Mr C. E. Irvine moved a vote of thanks to his Lordship, which was carried by acclamathe motion of the Bishop, votes of thanks were carried to his Honor the Chair man, and to Mr Towsey for his services at the piano.