SUPREME MOMENT FOR CHURCH

Southland Times, Issue 24833, 27 August 1942, Page 5

SUPREME MOMENT FOR CHURCH

GREAT EXPANSION OF CHRISTIANITY

“This is the supreme moment in the history of the Church,” declared the Rev. Principal A. L. Haddon, of Dunedin, in an address in the Civic Theatre last night to a meeting held in the course of the campaign for Christian Order. “All that has gone before is prologue,” he said. “The last 150 years have witnessed the growth of the secular forces of the world, of aggressive atheism among some nations, and there has been an accent on materialism. At the same time Christianity has witnessed the greatest territorial expansion of the faith. The last 50 years have seen a most remarkable drawing together of all the Christian forces.” The Founder of Christianity . had placed great emphasis on the universality of religion and the importance of unity. At the present time the churches were more universal and more united than ever before. It might be that the churches stood on the threshold of the greatest opportunity in their history, Principal Haddon said. He spoke of the great series of Christian conferences held in the last 30 years and said a strong movement of Christians in unity had developed. New Zealand had its part in this movement, and the National Council of Churches, formed in 1941 in the shadow of war, had gathered strength. SPECIAL SERVICES The actual campaign for Christian Order would begin on Monday, September 7, with a series of Monday evening broadcasts in the four main centres, said the Very Rev. Dean G. C. Cruickshank, of Dunedin. For six successive Sundays from the first Sunday in October there would be special services in every Christian church in New Zealand except the Roman Catholic Church. He urged everyone to listen to the broadcasts and attend the services. They would represent the greatest Christian endeavour in the history of New Zealand. “We are living in the most crucial age of the world,” the dean said. “Humanity is on the march. It has left its tents and is once more on the march. There is only one thing we are not sure about—where it is progressing. We want it to be according to the way of God. “There was much talk of new orders, Hitler’s, the Japanese and many others. The greatest thinkers of the day said they were all doomed. “By this campaign we hope to win every man or woman who does not be-

lieve in Christ at all,” he said. The effort should be to make the programme of Christ fit the needs of humanity. Pastor A. W. Grundy was chairman of the meeting, at which there was a good attendance. He extended a welcome to the visiting speakers. The Mayor (Mr A. Wachner) extended a welcome to the speakers and said he felt certain that those present would be inspired by the messages of the speakers. The Rev. W. H. Greenslade led the meeting in prayer. After the addresses thanks were expressed by the Rev. L. W. Rothwell. The Ven. Archdeacon J. A. Lush pronounced the Benediction. Miss Mavis Alsweiler sang ‘ O Divine Redeemer.” Mr J. H. Watson was the accompanist.