Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1930. A GREAT PRELATE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 196, 2 June 1930, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1930. A GREAT PRELATE.

A multitude of mourners paid their last tribute of respect to jLoid Davidson, says the cabled account of the former Primate’s interment, within the shadow of the cloisters of Canterbury Cathedral. This succinct but eloquent statement is in keeping with the occasion and with the character of the man who now rests from his labours. For Lord Davidson fulfilled in the highest degree the lofty requirements of his high and important office. The position he held for more than a quarter of a century is, historically and in fact, the greatest ecclesiastical office in the British Empire. Nobody, whatever his personal religious affinities may be, can deny that. To occupy it adequately demands rare (nudities of mind and heart and character. On the occasion of his retirement a few weeks less than two years ago, it was acknowledged c on all sides that Lord Davidson had been one of the greatest primates of England. This statement, by no means a light one, considering that the office goes back to the very conversion of the country to Christianity and that it has been held by many eminent men. _ is substantiated by a sober review of the departed prelate’s .career. As Archbishop of Canterbury lie was inevitably possessed of dignity: that attaches to the office. But lie turned his primacy to practical leadership of a very high order. No man could have done more, probably few as much, to imbue the whole body of bishops with a common mind: that he succeeded so far will ever be accounted a oreat achievement. The creation of the Church Assembly owed much to his ardent support, and as its chairman he proved to the rank and file of the clergy and to the representative laity how eminently capable a Parliamentarian, and how splendid a man he was. Presiding over two Lambeth Conferences, from the latter of which went out a stirring* call to reunion among all Christian people, he manifested a great grasp of affairs. Leaving* out of account the merits of either side in the great controversy which recently occupied the Church and the nation, it was a pathetic circumstance that at the very close of' his career lie suffered two severe disappointments in quick succession by the double rejection of' the amended Prayer Book. Yet in his acceptance of the shocks, with perfect dignity not marred by a single accent of bitterness, there was really a crowning of his term as Primate. The policy he supported suffered defeat; he lost no caste thereby, hut emerged with his character as a great Christian gentleman if possible enhanced. As the sheriff of Canterbury said when _ Lord Davidson was presented with the freedom of the city on his eightieth birthday, the Primate won his position, not only by his great abilities, but because there was beneath the ecclesiastic the beating heart of a man who had the interests of the people at heart.