The Day of Intercession.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16207, 9 May 1918, Page 6

The Day of Intercession.

Yesterday was, in one respect—we are not suro that even that qualification is neeossary—one of the most notable days in the history of the city. For the first time in Christchurchj and we believo for the first time in New Zealand, lepresentative ministers of all the Protestant churches occupied in turn, together with members of the Anglican clergy, tho pulpit of the Anglican Cathedral. The invitation of Bishop Julius to the Christchurch Ministers' Association to join with him and his clergy in tho services of a day of intercession at the Cathedral was accepted in the most cordial manner, and tho result wns seen yesterday, when for twelve hours in succession a continuous service was conducted, now by an Anglican, then by an officer of the Salvation Army, then by a Presbyterian, a Methodist, a Baptist, and so on. Aud from first to last tho noble building was filled -with a devout congregation, which must have included during tho twelve hours a very considerable proportion of tho residents of the city and suburbs. This remarkable response by the public revealed a dogreo of devotion, a readiness to take part in Divine service, and a feeling in favour of church unity, which was extremely striking, and which surely will not be allowod to pass unheoded by tho Churchcs. The scene in tho Cathedral all through the day was most moving, not only on account of the nature of the sorvices in which tho worshippers were engaged, but also because of the thought of all that those greaj; congregations, drawn from all Churches, and from no Church, implied if the movement thus: begun were carried on to its natural fulfilment. A notable day—the most notable certainly in Bishop Julius's long episcopacy—closed with an address by his Lordship, which showed how strongly the lesson of tho day appealed to him, and which, we venture to think, carried, with it good hope for the future. "How "much," as he said, "has been lost " during the Churches' separation and "division, and what might not have "been done, by God's grace, if there " had not been a want of conccntra- " tion in their services, their worship, "their sympathies, and fellowship!" Let us hope that the glimpse given us yesterday of real Church unity may be, as the Bishop said, a cause of hope for the years to come.