BISHOP BARNES SPEAKS TO STUDENTS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 49, 13 March 1937, Page 15

BISHOP BARNES SPEAKS TO STUDENTS

"God Speaks to This Generation" was the subjeot diseussed at this year's conference of the Student Christian Movement at Birmnigham. Bishop Barnes, in the opening address, said: — "God speaks to this generation. You and 1 are agreed as to the fact; are we agreed as to the messagel I hol.d that we receive God's teaching only as wa rightly apply our uderetanding to what is happemng in. the world around us. "Were God to speak to-day through a prophet, what should we liear? God hag given to this generation knowledge that is power. In the fullness of time man has suddenly reaehed an understanding that has led him to a marvellous control over Nature. "No longqr need human ciyilisation be painfully built upon human drmdgery. The ora of the machine has comu. New knowledge, amazing power — such are God;s gifts to this generation. And surely in God's sight we are misusing them shamefully. "Take three exaraples. In the firet place, recent medical knowledge has enabled ns drastically to reduce iufantile mortality and at the sam'e time to control conception. As a result the best stocks of the f oremoet races of mankind are dying out; the worst reproduce themselves to discredit the future. ' Secondly, our new knowledge of history and of iiterary eriticism gives us a wholly new insight into the sacred books of our own and other religions. And as a result men either Tepudiate Christianity or denounce Modernism. A reasopable faith is renouneed for the attractive alternatiye of scepticism or superstition. ' ' Thirdly, in every well-organised State the machine has set free a quite considerable percentage of men and women for public service. Are these used for invention and discovery, to eliminate disease, to rebuild cities, to bring in the golden agei Eelatively few are thus employed. ' But armies are growing evqr more powerftulj the increase of armaments is Avithout end. Wars of jealousy, fear and greed will bring ruin upon us all. "God speaks to this generation. Can you doubt His message? As I hear it, the Lord says: 'Usc new knowledge to end old and useless conventions, to destroy bad traditions. Eliminate tne unflt. So order society that the children of the future eome plentifully from good stocks.' "Seek truth. No religious revival can possibly be wholesome or ultjjnately permanent unless it is free from superstition. Strive for peace. Take risks for peace. Trust in righteousness rather than in armaments. The wealth of the world is sufficient for all. There need be no jealousy if all share in it alike. God speaks to this generation. I ask you, have I declared His message aright?"