FOR THE SABBATH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 548, 8 March 1913, Page 3

FOR THE SABBATH.

London, January 3

The Archbishop of Canterbury has generally a message of special note at the New Year. His sermom in Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday was a brilliant review of (he past year, and a warning that the sense of respon sibility was in danger of decline in the nation. On Wednesday the following was published:— "It is not always obvious what is the right message for each opening year. Just now the 'sors liturgica' —the automatic happening of the year's appointed lessons —seems to point the way. As December draws to its close we are bidden to read the invigorating and uplifting call addressed by the greatest of the prophets to a people who were going to make, forthwith, a fresh start upon life's roadway. Could we find anywhere a more hopeful introduction to the anxieties and activities of a New Year?—

"Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee; I will up hold thee with the arm of My righteousness. . . Thus saith G"d the Lord, He that Bpread abroad the earth. ... He that giveth a breath unto the people upon it, and spirit 10 them that walk therein. . . I will hold thine hand and will keep thee. . . lam the Lord. . . Behold, the former things are come to pass and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I will tell you of them. . . Thou shalt see and be lightened, and thy heart shall tremble and be enlarged."

"Read and re-read these words, and the chapters whence they come. They are no mere imagery. Thousands have found them to be solid fact. Remember them steadily, aa our thoughts turn to the great issues which are now before us aud around us, and to the questions old and new by which We are confronted. Issues of peace and war in Eastern Europe. Issues of political and social and educational and religious controversy at Home. They call every one of them for thought and prayer, and some of them for determined and persistent action. If things go amiss, make sure that it is not because you are apathetic or callous or lukewarm. Some of the principles which we have hitherto regarded as sacrosanct or axiomatic are now, it would seem, being cast here and there into the melting pot. The reverence due to law as law; the sacredness of ancient trusts which are being actively and beneficiently discharged; the normal indis solubleness of the marriage bond—these and many other unquestioned principles are becoming 'questions' now. We need clear heads, and eager hearts, and capable hands and voices, and above all bended knees. We have weathered troublous times before, when difficulties were greater than they are to-day, and have won enduring victories against even ancient and deep-set wrongs. We are not going to be faint-hearted now because of clouds and tangles, or to despair of a good outcome because the winds are boisterous. It has never been in quietest times that the most fruitful work was done. Stir may develop into mischief, but at least it betokens life. Nearly 400 years ago a very wise man, Sir Thomas Moore, whose times were not of the most peaceable sort, wrote thus: — "What part soever you have taken upon you, play that as well as you can. . . You must not fcrsaka a shippe in a tempest because you cannot put down the windes» . but studye and endeavour as much as in you lyethe to handle the matter wyttelye and handsomelye to the purpose; and that which you cannot turn to good so to order that it be not very baide. For it is not possible for all things to be well unless all men were good. Which I think will not be yet this good many yearse." Sir Thomas Moore's times were rougher than ours, but we have at least equal need to handle our matters "wyttelye and hadsomelye to the purpose." And the wits are not wanting if we will use them aright. It is not a case of banded right against banded wrong. There is, I believe a more general desire than there ever was before to act rightly. But our conditions are complex, our days are restless, and the affection for short cuts is full of peril. It is "in your patience that ye shall win your souls." "We need to think, and to say our prayers, It will not be in vain.

"I think I sue in the profound spiritual movements of this restless age the evidence of two things. First, the slow separation of moral evil from the soul of humanity; and, secoiid, the clear indication of the Divine purpose to secure the ultimate elimina tion of moral evil. Of course, I have been led to look for these things in the ligh 1 ". of revelation, and if I have not been deceived in my diagnosis it cannot be difficult to discern our duty to God and our race in present circumstances. First, unflinching energy in our efforts to overcome moral evil in ourselves and others; secondly, unweariyed patience, seeing that if God is to overcome evil in us while still preserving to us the possibility of moral freedo.m and virtue, the batt'e of faith must be prolonged and event ful; thirdly, we must nevertheless labour with an unquailing courage, knowing that 'Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world'; fourthly, we look forward with invincible hope, believing in God's eternal purpose to eliminate all moral evil; fifthly, and above all, we must be instant in prayer to our Divine Lord to fill us with the energy of His on Divine love, and to' hasten His Kingdom."—Bishop Moorhouse.