NEED FOR FELLOWSHIP

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 275, 14 August 1920, Page 7

NEED FOR FELLOWSHIP

* , DOMINATING IDEA OF LAMBETH CONFERENCE REUNION OF CHRISTENDOM DANGERS TO SPIRITUAL LIFE By Telegraph-Press ABsociation-Copyright (Rec. August 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 12. _ The Archbishop of Canterbury, has issued an encyclical on behalf of the Lambeth Conference. Tho ■ encyclical states: "The idea which dominated the conference, and one which is prevalent and potent throughout the world to-day, is tho idea of fellowship. Tho four terrible years' loss of international fellowship emphasised its value, but the war which broke one fellowship created others. Nations became associated and alliances were cemented with their blood. Thus to tho world craving of fellowship we present our message. THo Churoh must itself be a pattern of fellowship. Men began to think of tho reunion of Christendom as an imperative necessity, and in the shadow of the suffering of tho ancient Eastern churches we drew nearer to our own than ever before. . All realised that reunion was a most important subject, and it was entrusted to the largest committee ever appointed in a Lambeth conference.: Deoision was reached _ with almost complete- unanimity! It is not by reducing the groups of Christians to uniformity, but by rightly using their diversity that the churches can become all things to all men. Wo are convinced that this.ideal cannot be fulfilled if the groups are content to remain separated or joined only in some vague federation, Their value in the Christian life eari only be' realised if they are united in one visible society, bound by the ties of common faith, common sacrament and common ministry. This vision points the way to feunion. The road niay not be short, but wo believe it to be sure." ■ • ■

Tho encyclical then urges the improvement of the fellowship within the, Anglican communion as the most directmethod of preparing for reunion: Tho Church must frankly acknowledge it has ■undervalued and neglected the work of women. It, approves the revival of the order of deaconesses. The encyclical, referring to Spiritualism. Christian science, ami theosophy, declares that their teaching? injure spiritual life, and endanger loyalty 'to Clirist, but ill recognises that these movements are largely reactions against materialism. There .was something wrong with- libe Church if it failed to afford a refuge against materialism. There was much in Christian science which > oujht to bo found within the Church. Many distracted souls ilurned to Spiritualism for help, not realising that tho Church had abundant treasures to bring comfort and solace to a world confronted with imrrneoiup conflict,

Capital and Labour were each aiming at exclusive supremacy. Such supremacy, was not consistent with the Christian ideal of fellowship. The encyclical urge.*? men ,lio rearrnnge_ their mutual relations and cense competing in a spirit of suspicion and hostility. Tt was Christian justice that all should sbaro equitably in Hie TfsuVK of labour. Tho letter appeals for international fellowship and commends the principles •underlying the League of Nations.

FORM OF GOVERNMENT OF REUNITED CHURCH PROHIBITION AREAS'IN NEW ZEALAND. <Kec. August 13, 5.50 p.m.) London, August 12. . While the. Lambeth Conference con-, sidered it necessary that the reunited Church should have an episcopal 'form of government, it inferred that it must bo an' episcopate without prclatical elements. The conference passed a-resolution that "the pence- of the. world, no less than. Christian principle, demands the admis-' si'on of Germany and other nations into the Leaguo of Nations at the enrliest moment." Tho conference recorded a pro-test-against colour prejudice among the different races of the world, which hinders intercourse and gravely imperils the pence of. the world. Tho conference in approving tho creation of deaconesses left it optional whether the candidates cared to pledge themselves to a life of celibacy. The opportunity should be given qualified women to speak in consecrated and unconsecrated buildings. ' ,-

Resolutions declined that spiritunlism as a cult involved subordination of the intelligence and will to unknown forces, and to that extent wos an abdication of self-control to which God called U6. There was a direct tendency in Christian science to pantheistic doctrine, while a denial of the reality of disease and Suffering was irreconcilable.

The Bishop of Auckland .was • a member of the Industrial and Social Problems Committee, which remarked as significant that no area in New Zealand in wTilcTi prohibition had been carried by a three-fitths majority bad reverted from its previous decision. The committee declared that it was mi offence to the conscience of the Christian community that men able and willing to work should be forced into idleness. It affirmed the principle of .the living wage. The Bishop of Waiapu was included among the members of the Reunion Committee—Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn.