THE POTENT IDEA

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3553, 16 August 1920, Page 3

THE POTENT IDEA

AN ARCHBISHOP’S MESSAGE. LONDON, Auggust 12. The Archbishop c t Canterbury has issued an Encyclical on behalf of the LambethoConference, and one which is prevalent and potent throughout the world to-day. is the idea of fellowship. Four terrible years’ loss of international fellowship emphasised its value, but the war. which broke one fellow-, ship, created others. Nations became associated and alliances cemented with their blood. Thus, t.o the world craving for fellowship to present our message the church must itself be a pattern of fellowship. Men have begun to think of reunion of Christendom, as an imperative necessity, and in the shadow of suffering the ancient eastern churches drew nearer to our own than, ever before. All realised ‘hat -e-unlon is a most important subject, and it was entrusted to the largest committee ever apoiuted in the Lambeth Conference. Decision was reached with almost complete imammLy. It is not by reducing groups of Christians to, Uniformity, but by rightly using their diversity, that churches tmn become all things to ail men. We are convinced this ideal cannot be fulfilled if groups are content to remain separated or joined only in some vague federation. Their value in the Christian fife can only be realised if they are united in

--r> visit)!* 1 - soeiefy bound by tics of common faith, common sacrament, common ministry. This vision points the way to re-union. The road may not be short, but we believe it to be sure. The Encyclical then urges improvement o'f fellowship within the Anglican communion, As the most direct method of preparing for re-union the church must frankly acknowledge it lias un-der-valued and neglected the work of women. It approves revival of the order of deaconesses. The Encyclical, referring to spiritualism, Chris ian science and theosophy, declares that their teachings injure the spiritual life and endanger loyalty to Christ, but it ‘recognises that these movements are largely reactions again t materialism. There is some thing wrong with the church if it has failed to afford refuge against materiaJlism. The,re was much in Christian science whicli ought to bo found within the churen. Many distracted souls turned to spiritualism for help, not realising that" the church had abundant treasures to bring comfayt and solace to -a world confronted with internecine conflict. Capital -and labour were each aiming at exclusive supremacy. Buch supremacy was not- consistent with the Christian ideal! of fellowship. ■

The Encyclical U'ges men to re-ar-range mutual relations and cease competing in a spirit of suspicion and hostility. It is Christian justice that all should share equitably in the results of labour. The letter appeals for international fellowship end .-ecomntends the principles underlying, the League’ of Nations. .