THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1793, 22 September 1888, Page 3

THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE.

The formal conclusions of the Lambeth Conference have been published. An Encylical Letter serves as a preface.

CONPLICTINCt UTTERANCES ON TEMPERANCE,

“ Noble and seif-denying effoits,” says the Letter, “ have been made for many years, within and without the Church, for the suppression of intemperance, and it is our earnest hope that these efforts will be inereased manifold. The evil effects of this sin on the life of the Church and the nation can scarcely be exaggerated. But we are constrained to utter a caution against a false principle which threatens to creajlin and vitiate much useful work. Highly valuable as we believe total abstinence to be as a means to an end, we desire to discountenance the language which condemn* the use of wine aa wrong in itself, independently of its effects on ourselves or on others, and we have expressed our disapproval of a reported practice, which seems to be due to some extent to the tacit assumption of this principle, of substituting som» other liquid in the celebration of Holy Coraraunio.n”

The Committee appointed to considei the duty of the Chmch with regard to intemperance, on the contrary, advises, “ that (ho main yvenpon to be used in this warfare is the practice of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors by those who desire to help their fellow men.” Flight

fiom temptation, it observes, is the uiitnial mode of dealing with sins of the flesh. The burden of temperance work must ho borne by those who abstain entirety ; although every one, of course, h not bound to tuke up this particular burden, or need be so weak as to find aitfe'v only in fleeing th« taraptatioas of drink, in respect to temperance legislation the Committee advise the Church to press on all Governments the duty of diminishing the enormous amount of temptation which at present hinders the work of elevating and civilizing tha masses.

A CRUSADE AGAINST IMPURITY PROCLAIMED,

“On the other hand,” says the Letter, 41 Christian society is only now awakening to a sense of its active duty in the matter of purity ; and we therefore desire to avail ourselves of an occasion which has brought together representatives of the Anglician Communion from distant par's of the world lo proclaim a crusud# against that sin which is before all othsrs a defilement of the body of Christ and a desecration of the temple of the Holy Spirit. We recall the esrnest language of the report—we believe that nothing short of general action by all Christian people will avail to arrest the evil ; we call upon you to rally round the standard of a high and pure morality.” The Committee of Purity (of which the Bishop of Durham was Chairman) are net blind to the danger of dealing publicly with the subject of impurity, and dread the effect, especially upon the young, of any increased familia'ity with th* details of sin, but, notwithstanding, they hold that the time has come when the Church must speak with no uncertain voice. They accoidingly submitted a series of solemn ddclaration upon tha subject;— “ We solemnly declare that a life of purity is alone worthy of a being created in the image of God. “We declare that for Christians the obligation to purity rests upon the sanctity of the body, which is t!»s * temple of the Holy Ghost.’ “ We declare that a life of chastity for the unmarried is not only possible but is commanded by God. “ We declare that there is no difference between man and woman in the sinfulness of sins of unchastitv.

“ We declare that on the man, in his Godgiven strength of m»nhood, rests the main responsibility. “We declare that no one known to be living an immoral life ought to bo received iu Christian society.

“ We solemnly protest against all lowering of the sanctity of marriage.

“ We would remind all whom our voice may reach, that the wrath of God, alike in Holy Scr.pturo and ia the history of the world, has been revealed against the nations which have transgressed the law of purity, and we solemnly record our conviction that, wherever marriage is dishonored and sins of the lush lightly regarded, the home life will be destroyed, and the nation itsalf will, sooner or later, decay and perish.” The Committee add that tha Bishops severally have determined to confer on this weighty matter with the clergy and faithful laity of their respective diocese.

The report of the Committee on Purity it the only report which was adopted by the Conference ; the others were merely received. THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE. “In vital connection with the promotion of purity,” say# the Letter, “is the maintenance of the sanctity of marriage, which is the centre of social morality. This is seriously compromised by facilities of divorce, which have been increased in recent years by legislation in some countries. We hare therefore held it our duty to reaffirm emphatically the precept of Christ relating thereto, and to offer some advics which may guide the clergy of our Communion in their attitude towards any infringement of the Master’s rule.”

m “ lord’s DAY ” A VRICELESS HERIXAOS.

The Letter calls “ upon the leisurely classes not selfishly to withdraw from others the opportunities of rest and religion. We call upon master and employer jealously to guard the privileges of the servant and the workman. In ‘ the Lord’s Day ’ we have a priceless heritage. Whoever misuses it incurs a terrible responsibility.”

THE STUDY OT SOCIALISM “ A NOBLE PURSUIT.”

The report of tiie Committee on Socialism is “submitted” not “commended,” like other reports—to consideration by the Conference. It in sign«d by the Bishop of Manchester, and is a moat interesting document. The Committee broadly define Socialism aa “ any scheme of social reconstruction . . . which

aims at uniting labor and the instruments of labor Cland and capital), whether by means of the Stale, or of the help of the rich, or of the voluntary co-operation of the poor.” “Intimately connected with these moral questions,” says the Letter, “is the aMitudd of the Christian Church towards the social problem* of the day. Excessive inequality in the distribution of this world’s goods—vast accumulation and desperate poverty side by side; these suggest many anxious consideration* to any thoughtful penon who is penetrated with the mind of Christ. No more important problems can well occupy the attention—whether of clergy or laity—than such aa are connected with what is popularly culled Socialism. To study scheme* proposed for redressing the social balance, to welcome the good which may bo found in the aim* or operations of any, and te devise methods, whether by legislation or by *oci«l combinations, or in any other way, for a peaceful solution of lha problems without violence or injustice, is one of the noblest pursuit* which can engage the thought-' of those who strive to follow in the footsteps of Christ. Suggestions are offered in the report, which may assist in •olving this problem.”