LAMBETH CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1920, Page 1

LAMBETH CONFERENCE

AN ANGLICAN APPEAL.

(LONDON TIMES SEUt'IOE—COPI’HIQHtJ

LONDON, August 12.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued an Encyclical on behalf of the Lambeth Conference stating that the idea which has dominated the conference- and one which is prevalent and potent throughout the world to-day, 's the idea, of fellowship. The past four terrible years’ loss of international fellowship has emphasised its value; but the war which broke one fellowship had created others. Nations had become associated and alliances were cemented with their blood. Thus to a world craving for fellowship, the Anglican Church presented its message The Church must itself be a pattern of fcllorsliip. Men had begun to think of the reunion of Christendom as an imperative necessity, and in the shadow of suffering the ancient Eastern churches had drawn nearer to their own Anglican Church than ever before. All realised that reunion was a most important subject, and it was entrusted to the largest committee ever appointed in a Lambeth Conference. Its decision was reached with almost complete unanimity for reunion. Tt was not by reducing the groups of Christians to uniformity, but by rightly using their diversity, that the churches could become all things to all men. lr We are convinced that this ideal cannot be fulfilled if the groups are content to remain separated, or joined only in some vague federation. Their value in Christian life can only he realised if they are united in one visible society, bound by the ties of a. common faith, common Sacrament, and a common ministry. This vision points the way to reunion. The road may not he short, hut we believe it to be sure.”

The Encylical then urges an improvement of fellowship within the Anglican Communion as the most direct method of preparing for a reunion. The Church must frankly acknowledge it has under-, valued and neglected the work of. women. It approves of a revival of the Order of Deaconesses. The Encylical, referring to spiritualism. Christian science, and theosophy, declares that their teaching injures the. spiritual life and endangers loyalty to Christ; but it recognises that these movements are largely the reactions against materialism. There was. something wrong with the Church if it failed to afford a refuge against materialism. There was much in Christian Science which might be found within the Church. Many distracted souls turned to spiritualism for help, not realising that the Church had abundant treasures to bring comfort and solace to a world confronted with an internecine conflict. Capital and Labour were each aiming at exclusive supremacy, but such a supremacy was not consistent with the Christian ideal of fellowship. The Encyclical urges men to rearrange their mutual relations and cease competing in a spirit of suspicion and hostility. It was Christian justice that all should share equably in the result's of labour. The letter appeals-, for an -international fellowship and commends the principles underlying the League of Nations.