CHURCH CONVOCATION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19853, 14 February 1930, Page 9

CHURCH CONVOCATION.

MESSAGE PROM THE KING. PRAYER BOOK REVISION. (VXITXD FBEBS ASSOCIATION —BT BLSCTBIO TJtLXOBAPH—COPTBIGHT.) LONDON, February 12. The King, in a message to the Church Convocation in reply to the address presented at the close of 1929, said he rejoiped to observe the spirit animating it with reference to the difficulties associated with the revision of the forms ordering public worship. "May the continued exercise of forbearance and patience render possible, under God's guidance the solution of this grave and perplexing problem," said his Majesty, "l fervently join in the prayers for the increasing influence of religion and renewal of faith. The progress being made with the promotion of Christian unity is gratifying.

"I trust the Lambeth Conference will contribute further to the advance and continuous development of measures securing international peace. It has given me profound satisfaction that the agreements which have been made rest on a sure foundation in the hearts and minds of the people. By strengthening this spiritual basis the churches throughout the world can give incalculable assistance to the Governments, enabling still further progress to be made."

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN RUSSIA.

CHURCH OP ENGLAND PROTEST. LONDON, February 12. At the Convocation of Canterbury, the Primate (Dr. Cosmo Gordon Lang) moved that that body record an indignant protest against the religious persecution in Russia. He declared that he had deliberately waited for this occasion formally and officially to protest, and give solemn expression on behalf of the Church of England of sympathy with the sufferers. None could question the truth of the long, shocking tale of imprisonment and exile almost unparalleled in the history of religious persecution. A unique feature was that every sort of belief in God was assailed, accompanied by popular blasphemies, obscenities, and ridicule, wnich was encouraged. even ordered, by the Government. 'Tor us as Christians, sympathy expresses itself most simply and naturally in prayer," he said. "I hop© the Bishops are willing to request that prayer be offered in- all churches on March 16th. At that time multitudes of fellow-Christians, at the bidding of the Pope, will join our prayers. "Let the Soviet representative note that publio opinion will insist that diplomatic relations depend not only on material advantages, but more on common acceptance of the principles of justice and humanity. I am making a careful enquiry into the facts, and unless there is evidence of real improvement I may be obliged to refer to the matter in Parliament." The Bishop of London (Dr. A. F. Winnington-Ingram) seconded the resolution. He pointed out that the protest was entirely non-political. The motion was not further discussed, and was carried unanimously. The Archbishop of York (Dr. William Temple), addressing the York Convocation, declared that nothing would be more disastrous than to give the Soviet the smallest ground for appealing to patriotism to support the persecuting policy, and therefore Christians ought to be very careful not to add to the sufferings of the persecuted in relieving their own generous emotions.