MODERN MIRACLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 98, 22 October 1940, Page 11

MODERN MIRACLE

THE BRITISH PEOPLES

ARMED IN UNION AND FAITH

ADDRESS TO SYNOD

Mentioning the war only briefly in his address to the Anglican Diocesan Synod, which opened a short session this afternoon, the Ven. Archdeacon W. Bullock, vicar-general of the diocese, who presided in the absence of Bishop Holland, remarked that it had been a time of real testing of men's faith in all things honest and of good report and of their hope in the eventual victory of those things that made for human decency. "The fall of France came as the final blow following the long succession of disasters," said Archdeacon Bullock. '"This was followed by the miracle of Dunkirk and what will be regarded as a far greater miracle, the arming in union and faith of all the British peoples. From an abyss of almost! hopeless disaster, our leaders have taught us to snatch hope instead of despair. I cannot but ask you, as you value those things that make our Christian religion ' possible, to pray without ceasing for the success of our cause and for the eventual peace of the world that will follow. We should not forget to pray continually also for that growing number of men and women in our own country who are beginning to feel the dread toll of war. I am convinced that out of the present struggle will come values almost inestimable if only our faith is strong, our resolution firm, and our charity farsighted." The remainder of a short address contained references to the changes which had taken place in the administration of Church affairs during the last year. TRUST IN GOD SOURCE OF BRITAIN'S STRENGTH INTERCESSION SERVICE The secret 01 Britain's strength was that the foundation of the Empire had been Christian teaching and belief in God, said Mr. R. H. Nimmo, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, when speaking at today's intercession service in the Town Hall, which was conducted by members of the chamber. "What better example could we get of this," he asked, '"than the King's broadcast last Christmas, when he asked the people to put their hands into the hand of God and assured tlfem that He would lead us through our difficult days? We know from early Christian history and from our own experience, that God in His leadership does not avoid unpleasant places, but if we merit, as a nation, His Divine leadership and providential care, we must justify it by faith and by actions and deeds compatible with our Christian profession. If such be the case, we will receive a peace of soul that will carry us through the crisis to the. victory that lies ahead. "As members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, we consider it a privilege to be asked to conduct this service today, and to bear witness publicly of our unswerving faith in God, and our loyalty to hi. Majesty the King, and admiration of his Christian leadership to the nation in the hour of her crisis. In the hour of our nation's need, we must stand fast and be courageous for with our hope set on Christ, we have nothing to lose whatever calamities may befall us. The Christian today who talks pessimism not only does serious damage to our war effort, but is unconsciously denying the faith which he professes." COURAGEOUS ACTS. Referring to the humanitarian acts of the British Navy in the Mediterranean, Mr. Nimmo said it was not so much the acts as the motive that prompted them which should be studied. There was a similarity between those acts and that of Mr. Neville Chamberlain when he made history by sacrificing his personal and national pride and dignity to plead with Hitler for the peaceful adjustment of national difficulties, so great was his desire for peace out of unselfish consideration for the rest of the world. "Such acts are truly courageous and are essentially Christian,' Mr. Nimmo continued. "Lord Halifax, when he delivered his memorable speech on June 22, clearly dealt with the secret of Britain's strength, when he stated the foundation of the Empire has been Christian teaching and belief in God." "There was a church in a certain country," concluded Mr. Nimmo in legendary vein, "where the people were war-weary and nerve-racked, tired of the-spilling of their blood and the giving of their sons, ar.d on the Sabbath morning when they were meditating and praying, 'Dear God, bring peace to this land,' their thoughts were suddenly disturbed by the authoritative and commanding voice of the minister, who demanded that all sons and daughters of Jewish fathers should stand up. When they ptood up, he ordered them to leave the building and never again to darken the portals. The congregation was astounded. With even! greater authority, he then demanded, the sons ar.d daughters of Jewish mothers to leave the building and never to return. The congregation saw J them stand, but they never saw them leave. They were suddenly frozen with horror. The figure of Christ slowly detached itself from the Crucifix. The Man with the crown of thorns, despised and rejected, sorrowfully and with dignity walked down through the body of the church and out of the doorway. He, too, by this order, was unwanted. "That church was in .a country by the name of Germany, dominated by a man Adolph Hitler. This is what we are up against, Christianity versus the forces of evil. It presents a great challenge to the Church—to the ministry —to us who are left behind. We must unite together, fill the empty pews of the Church, be consistent in worship, and if our faith is unswerving and if our actions as individuals and as a nation are compatible with our faith, then, and then only, car; and will we justify the victory and the peace that we all long and pray for." The first session of the service was conducted by members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and the second by the Rev. T. Skuse, with other ministers and laymen taking part. The Miramar Golf Club is holding a special meeting of men and women members in the Masonic Hall at 7.30 p.m. tomorrow.