Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

South Canterbury Times. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1882.

The death of Archibald Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England, is a very important event in the history of the Church of which be was the head ; and it calls for remark, as probably no similar event has yet done. For the Church of England has reached a momentous epoch in her existence; her future prospects are shrouded in doubts and fears. Of the deceased dignitary, there is nothing but unqualified praise to be uttered. , He has filled the moat important offices, and filled them with credit to himself and benefit to the Church. There never lived a more hard-working, conscientious churchman. As Head Master of Rugby, and as Bishop of London, he was distinguished by sound learning and a broad and liberal Christian tone. Since his elevation to the supreme rank, the world has perhaps heard less of him i but his work has been no less faithfully performed. He goes to his last rest followed by the respect and regard of all, irrespective of creed, as does every faithful worker in a good cause. Dr Tail’s life has been blameless and useful; and blameless and useful lives are not too common. The appointment of a fitting successor is an important question for the Church and the Empire. Probably the men best qualified for the post will shrink from assuming it. For it must be plain to every reflecting mind that the Church now stands in a very peculiar position. Her growth has ever been under the shadow of the throne and the hereditary aristocracy of England. It is here she differs from the Church of Rome. It is from this circumstance that her comparative weakness arises. She has drooped where the Roman Church has flourished. Rome never bent the knee to Royal or Imperial power; the Church of England sought first the favor of those in power, by a somewhat ostentatious display of loyal devotion, and relied upon the people following in the wake of their masters. As royal, imperial or aristocratic influence over the people became weak, however, the 1 Church found herself unbacked by power and unloved by the people ; while Rome, despite of heresy, schism, freethought, struck root far and wide ; arose from persecution more and more vigorous, and continued to be great. Her votaries were of “ all sorts and conditions of men.” Under the shadow of the throne the Church of England grew and prospered, but her reign was an enforced one. Since the death of Archbishop Laud her influence has waned, almost imperceptibly, perhaps,

but surely. The reason is not far to seek. She is a state church, ami the day, long in coming, has now arrived when every trace of autocracy has been disposed of, and the government exists at the will of the governed. The people will have no coercion in matters of belief, and coercion was the great stronghold of the Church. That

removed, only the most robust institution survives. Hence Roman Catholicism and Non-conformity are in full vigor, while the establishment falls into “ the sere and yellow leaf.” The time has arrived when the Church of England, though dear to all English hearts as the repository of much learning, piety, and faithful service is utterly distasteful as the State Cnurch and the gatherer of tithes. The red coat of the soldier is not now found under the cassock of the priest certainly, but the strong arm of the law encircles the Church, and this is bitterly resented. For years past the agitation against the ingathering of tithes, the practice of Simony, sale of advowsdns, and gift of benefices, has been growing, and we have no hesitation in saying that the end is fast approaching. “ The old order changeth giving place to new,” and in this instance it is so indeed. Disestablishment is at band, and for a brief space the Church will pass through troubled waters. It is therefore a matter of vast importance to her that the band that steers her should be a firm and vigorous one, and on that account we look with anxiety that the right man should be called to the post so worthily occupied by Dr Talk, If the Church be true to herself and her oldest traditions, she has nothing to fear. She will be cut off from State aid—it must happen very soon—but she will experience the removal of spirit which a sense of being self-dependent brings ; life and vigour will be infused into her, to which she has before been a stranger. Often do people wonder why so many of her most righly-gifted sons have quitted her cool shade for the more stirring life of the Roman Church. It is precisely because she furnished no fair field for energy and talent. The disruption in Scotland made the Presbyterian Church the formidable power it now is. It evoked talent, courage and determination, and unity was indeed strength.- • True Churchmen will see nothing to alarm, but everything to encourage them, in the dis-establishment. The Church has infinite resources, a grand organisation, a peerless liturgy, wide influence and a a full equipment ; and when, ceasing to be an arm 1 courtier, she goes forth alone, to assist in the conquest of evil and the promulgation of goodness ; content to stand or fall by her merits, —she will attain such a hold upon the British mind as her most devoted sons had never anticipated. He who occupies the Archiepiscopal throne when the hour of dis-establishmeht arrives will hold a position at once commanding and enviable, perilous, responsible and honorable.

Me Stout’s candidature for the Peninsula representation is an occurrence of some importance. The name of Robert Stout has become a household word in New Zealand, and we anticipate that it will acquire a still wider fame. As a ba lister, he has been wonderfully fortunate. His good fortune has been even more conspicuous than his ability, and that is saying a great deal. As a thinker, he is known as thoroughly advanced. As a philosopher he has exhibited a great deal of power, if no special originality 1 . As a man, he is irresistibly acceptable, being pure, fresh-hearted, and robust. He is the very antithesis of all that is maudlin orunhealthy ; the embodiment of all that is mentally strong and sound. Bat in politics, he does not shine; had he been a less brilliant success in other departments, he would long ago have been set down as a political nuisance. His theorising, his philosophising, and his inexperience of political life made him something of a bore to the House, and a source of anxiety to his party. We must believe be has acquired a good deal more balance of mind and singleness of purpose. If so, his undoubted abilities will carry him up to distinction.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SCANT18821205.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3023, 5 December 1882, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,141

South Canterbury Times. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1882. South Canterbury Times, Issue 3023, 5 December 1882, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1882. South Canterbury Times, Issue 3023, 5 December 1882, Page 2

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert