THE NEW PRIMATE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1928, Page 4

THE NEW PRIMATE

Dr Cosmo Gordon Lang, Archbishop of York, who has been appointed Primate, was born at Aberdeen in October, 1864. He was a son of Dr Marshall Lang, Moderator of the Church of 'Scotland and Principal of Aberdeen University. Educated at

Glasgow University, he won a scholarship at Balliol College, Oxford. After graduating in 1886 he became a Fellow of All Souls. From 1883 to 1889 lio was a student of the Inner Temple, but gave up the law for the church and was ordained curate of Leeds Parish Church in 1890. From 1893 to 1896 lie was Fellow and Dean of Divinity at Magdalen College, Oxford, and vicar of the university *hurch of St Mary. In 1896 lie became vicar of Portsea, where If is success among tho working classes led to bis being made Bishop-Suffragan of Stepney in 1901.

In 1908 lie became Archbishop of York. The confirmation of his appointment was opposed by tbe Protestant Truth Society on the ground that while Bishop of Stepney be had : connived at and encouraged flagrant breaches of the law as to church ritual, and joined in illegal ceremonies, but no action was taken by the authorities on the protest. As archbishop he took a conspicuous part in the discussion of the social and economic ns well ns the religious questions which arose in bis diocese, while in the House of Lords his eloquence and clear common-sense gave him an influence which was not confined to church matters. These qualities proved of value when be went on a mission to the United States in connection with the war. He was not one of those who saw a conflict between religion and science. It was not, he thought, for tbe church to pronounce formally against any conclusions which since scientific method might reach; its members should be ready to accept whatever truths seemed to be really established and to welcome in them new revelations of the divine working. In March, 1921, he' Addressed the Free Church Council in Manchester on reunion.

Archbishop Lang, who was formerly honorary chaplain to and a personal friend of Queen Victoria, has published several books, including one on the miracles of Jesus and another on tjie “Opportunity of the Church of England.” Ho was a member of tbe Royal Commission appointed in 1909 tp inquire into divorce law and signed the minority report.