RELIGIOUS CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 15, 17 July 1937, Page 10

RELIGIOUS CRISIS

GERMAN CHURCHES

SYMPATHY OF SYNOD

In terms of a resolution moved by the Yen. Archdeacon W. Bullock, and carried at yesterday afternoon's session of the Wellington Diocesan Synod, Bishop Holland was asked to convey, through the proper channels, to the Confessional churches of Germany the assurance of the prayers and sym-

pathy of the diocese in the trying ex : perienccs through which those churches are passing in their endeavours to preserve the purity of the Christian Gospel and the right to proclaim it.

Speaking to the motion, Mr. Bullock said there was not a clergyman present who, when he opened his books in his library, would not thank God some time or another for Germany. There was not a school of thought in the Church of England that had not at one time or another drawn deeply from the wells of German wisdom. That being so, he thought they should feel for what the churches there were suffering together, and they could remember that in their sufferings they were being drawn closer together in friendship in meeting what was their common foe. That foe he would not say much about because he did not want to be too political, but those who had read their newspapers during the last three or four years would understand what it meant to all the churches in Germany which were fighting for a clean and a pure Gospel and the right to proclaim it. He thought it probable that a master historian or philosopher today would declare that the real crisis in the world of politics was taking place in Spain and that the real crisis in religion was taking place in Germany and Italy. Let this, he continued, hearten those who might be given sometimes to despair: that of all associations and all movements a great country of 75,000,000 people could produce, there was only one association, that of the churches, that had been able to say (even though it had brought pain to them) to those who would destroy all Christians: "Thus far shall you come and no farther." It was with a feeling of sympathy and also one of pride that Synod should pass the resolution. The Chancellor (Mr. E. F. Hadfield) seconded the motion. Bishop Holland said he would be only too glad and proud to do what was asked of him. All communications with the Confessional churches of Germany had to be 'carried out through a secret service. That alone would convey to Synod something of the trying experiences of those who were being persecuted for their Gospel which they in New Zealand were proud to be trying to extend. The motion was carried unanimously.