CHURCH AND THE CITIZEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 107, 2 November 1937, Page 8

CHURCH AND THE CITIZEN

In the Jives of both the Rev. Dr. Charles William Gordbn, better known; perhaps, under his pen-name of Ralph Connor, and the Very Rev. Dr. Hugh Richard Sheppard, Canon of St. Paul's, familiarly known to the younger, generation "as "Dick Sheppard," whose deaths have occurred, were exemplified to a high degree a precious combination of practical Christianity and good citizenship. Without in any way detracting from their duties to the Churches to which they belonged, they both exercised a wide influence in the affairs of the world to the lasting benefit of their times. As Ralph Connor, Dr. Gordon, a Canadian born, wrote many stories of Canadian life, notably "The Sky Pilot," "Black Rock," and "The Man from Glengarry," which justly won him a world-wide, popularity as an author, but it was not this side of his life by which he set most stock. It was his noble conception of citizenship and its duties that marked him out among his generation, and citizenship was the main theme of his public addresses when he visited New Zealand some two and a half years ago. His lecture on "This New World" in the Town Hall conveyed an inspiration which still lives. He held that nobody could do great work for humanity who did not believe in the intrinsic worth of man, or do-great work for the people who did not feel that the people were the important thing in the world, not the minerals, trade, or institutions, he said, but the men and women and children. His whole attitude revealed the finest spirit of democracy. If Dr. Gordon had great faith in the League of Nations and a passionate love of peace, these characteristics were intensified in Canon Sheppard, who, in failing health, undermined by his labours among the people, literally gave his life to the cause of peace. He made his church, St. Martin4n-the-Fields, a national institution and enlisted in good causes a vast following, especially among the younger people. He took a leading part in the Peace Pledge movement, and his broadcast addresses contributed largely to its success. All over the British Empire his work was known and he endeared himself to all by the charm of his personality. He was a living force, in Christianity and the world will be the poorer for his Joss.