UNION OF CHURCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 99, 28 April 1922, Page 7

UNION OF CHURCHES.

ANGLICAN STTNOD DEBATE. THE PRIMATE'S APPEAL. In his opening address to the Anglican General Synod Bishop Julius, of Ghristchurc'h, strongly urged on the members of the church a close and sympathetic consideration of the question of the re-union of the Christian Churches, basing his remarks on liic Lambeth Conference resolutions. ''The noble appeal of the Lambeth Conference to all Christian people was sent forth not as a programme, nor as an ultimatum, but as a vision," said the bishop. There were a few who said the vision had failed. Did they think the differences and divisions of centuries past could 'be reconciled and healed in n day? But had the vision failed? The appeal had been printed in many languages and sent to almost every church in Christendom. The Roman Catholic Church had received it with courtesy and expressions of friendly interest. The churches of the East had referred the appeal to their several authorities for careful study. The churdh of Sweden hud given it more than welcome. It had been adopted by almost every province, of the Anglican communion. The Presbyterian, Methodist -and other great churches had received it with sympathetic interest. Arrangements were being made with them in England, Scotland and the United States for conference. Tn the great cities of Australia joint conferences had 'been held, of which the last in "Melbourne was full of interest and encouragement. In Xew Zealand no great advance had been made. By tho courtesy of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church an extract from its records on the subject had been sent to him which he hoped to lay upon the table. Without question the churches had been brought nearer to one another by the influence of the appenl. In Christchurch the Ministers' Association deliberately broke up' aflourishing organisation to join with the -Anglican Church in an association for social service. The same thing had been done in other eentrer., nnd conferences for prayerful and honest research had been formed in many parts of Xew Zealand. The appeal was published only 20 months ago. Who would say it bad been fruitless? THE .ANGLICAN DIFFICULTY. "Undoubtedly the chief apparent difficulty in the way of church reunion is that of episcopal orders," continued Bishop Julius. "'lt appears to many that the proposed acceptance of a commission through episcopal ordination is altogether one-sided. For although we express our willingness to accept from other communions such form of commission or recognition as would commend our ministry to their congregations, they, for the most part, are prepared to give us welcome without any such commission. From this point of view, as it seems to mc. their contention is sound. The offer is one-sided. But the discussion lacks breadth of treatment. The Lambeth Conference contemplates a far wider union than this. Tt is obvious that many churches will unite without any such condition, but I am convinced that, whether episcopal orders are essential or not, the unity of Christendom demands a ministry acknowledged by every part of the church. The universal practice of the church for more than a thousand years cannot be ignored. BREAK DOWX COMPLACENCY. "Meanwhile, the spirit of the appeal is n 'bigger thing than the letter of it. We may find it difficult to make a definite advance, but 'love never faileth'; we can endeavour to cultivate a kindlier spirit of interest nnd intercourse with, our 'brethren of other communions. VVe have already learned how much we have to receive from them, even though we think that we too have something to give. After all. it is our complacencies and not our difficulties which block the way. If these are broken down, our difficulties will vanish as a dream. The General Synod cannot do better than adopt the appeal to all Christian people, earnestly recommend to the bishops, clergy, and laity of this province a. loyal adherence to the Teßolutions based upon it, and desire t'heni by every means in their power to promote that unity which is according to the mind of Christ." The question was debated in the ever., ing. The Bishop of Waiapu, in moving an expression of thankfulness by tbe synod for the movement towards unity by the Lambeth Conference of 1920, and that the synod associate itself with the resolutions by conference, pointed out that the conference had no legislative power and that the resolutions there passed were the representative opinions of bishops given out as a guidance for the Anglican communion. He went on to describe the dramatic spirit of enthusiasm that animated the conference in dealing with the question of tin it v, and the outstanding desire to j break away from the old spirit of schism that had marred consideration of such matters for 400 years. After having explained that the object of the resolutions was to endeavour to provide an interim step towards unity, he appealed to the parishes to be patient, and to avoid schism in their consideration of the question, for the Anglican Church had to acknowledge it's share in the schism of the past. After Dean Fitchett had seconded the motion. Bishop Averill spoke on the practical side of the question, moving i an amendment to the resolution to the effect that copies of the Lambeth resolutions bo distributed to the various churches iv Xew Zealand, with a request that these churches meet the Anglicans in conference wherever possible, with a view to reaching some understanding. Archdeacon Wilford also supported practical effort by distributing the resolutions, and urging the study and discussion of them dv clergy and laity of the Anglican and other churches. The Primate spoke on the lines of his opening address, urging acceptance of the Lambeth resolutions and practical effort beiijg mad? to forward the union of ohurdhes. Several of the laity spoke. Mr. XL Burton stating that he considered there was no danger of hasty action, the risk being rather that of inaction. Sir. C. Hudson remarked that he felt on reading the resolutions that there would be a great feeling of thankfulness on the | ■part of the. laity that the Church of j Eneland had at last altered its attitude towards what were called the free j churches. Eventually, on the motion of s Inv member, the debate was adjourned j till Monday to enable members to fully I consider the lipst means nf giving prac- i tical effect to the resolutions. ! —— mm—— .____ mm.