The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER, 26, 1889. ARCHDEACON JULIUS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1948, 26 September 1889, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER, 26, 1889. ARCHDEACON JULIUS.

In our last issue we published a report of a speech delivered recently in Ballarat by Archdeacon Julius on the London strike*. Our readers will no doubt feel interested in knowing that in all probability Archdeacon Julius will be the next Episcopalian Bishop of Christchurch, The aged and venerated Primate has resigned, and the Synod is to meet immediately to select his successor. Archdeacon Julius is held in the very highest esteem by all, and it is almost absolutely certain he will be the new Bishop. His speech, therefore, has more than ordinary significance, as it denotes the manner ef a man he is. It shows that he is a naan of broad, humane sympathies, who does not believe that all the good things of this earth were intended by Providence for the benefit of a few while the many are starving. It shows he was neither afraid nor ashamed to uphold what the wealthy classes are pleased to designate as spoliation, confiscation, and robbery, but which in reality is nothing of the kind. He was not afraid to speak in the highest terms of praise of John Burns, who it will be remembered was sentenced to imprisonment a couple of years ago on account of his actions in connection with the London ribts, and who is generally depicted as all that is wicked in man. He is held up as a socialist, and a socialist in the eyes of a monopolist 1 is a terrible monster, But Archdeacon Julius showed that Mr Burns was nothing of the kind—that he was simply a man who aimed at improving the condition of his fellowbeings by placing some industrial activities in the hands of the State for the benefit of tbe people instead of leaving them in the hands of private individuals for their own individual benefit. Of course, this does not suit monopolists. They want things to remain as they are, because they suit them. The slave-masters of other days wanted the same, and so did the serf-owners; and if our forefathers had listened to them we should never have abolished slavery ner advanced in civilisation as we have. This same cry of “ Let things alone ” is now raised by the writers in the Christchurch Press, who are screaming out against Archdeacon Julius because, they say, he sympathises with Socialism. They are raising this cry against him now in the hope that by doing so they will succeed in preventing his appointment as Bishop, We hope, however, they will fail, and, from what we hear, it is almost certain that they will. The Synod is, we believe, almost unanimous in his favor, and it is sot likely that the screams of self-interest will weigh with them in rejecting so good a man. To us hi* appointment will give great pleasure. It is frequently urged against religion that it is all for the rich, and has no sympathy with the poor, and this consideration has turned many away from the Churches. *• The rich pray for us on Sundays and prey on us on week days ” was epigrammatic way in which a working man not long ago explained his attitude towards wealth and religion. We are not amongst those who sympathise with this view of the question. Religion did a great deal ito abolish slavery, and it is evident now that its ministers are awakening to the necessity of assisting in effecting reform*. We find Cardinal Manning and Bishop Temple, of London, interesting themselves in the London strikes, and the Pope of Rome congratulating the Cardinal on the success of his mediations. We find Archdeacon Julius and several others of the .same Church in thorough sym. pathy with the poor, whilst we have not a few pronounced reformers in the ministry of dissenting’bodies. This is hopeful. It is really gladdening to see the ministers of religion rising to tbe necessities of the times, and taking the lead in these matters. There is evidence that it is becoming fashionable to take the side of the masses, and consequently we think it good for religion and good for the people that a man like Archdeacon Julius should be raised to a position where ho would be able to lead tbe fashion. He is in every way qualified to fill the exalted position of Bishop, and we sincerely hope that before many days we shall have the pleasure of announcing his appointment.