REUNION OF CHURCHES.

Evening Star, Issue 17955, 28 April 1922, Page 2

REUNION OF CHURCHES.

ANGLICAN POSITION DEFINED

STATEMENT BY BISHOP JULIUS,

Referring to the question of iho reunion of churches in his address at the opening of tho Anglican General Synod yesterday, the Acting-Primate, Bishop Julius, said: For some three centuries we have prayed in a leisurely way, and in tho words of one of our noblest collects, “ chat God would give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers wu are in by our unhappy divisions.’’ Our divisions have been multiplied, our dangers increased, and our slumbers undisturbed. Hut the dangers are now so menacing that we dare no longer to disregard them. The day o! distress is the day of God's opportunity, mid wonderful aie liis ways. The awful revela 1 inns ot the Great \\ ar, the bitter cry of tho native churches, the practical healheui.sm of masses of our people, have at last opened our eyes. Tho prayer for unity is no longer an idle form. Church councils may hug their.traditions, but tho barriers arc giving way. Of this strong tendency towards union tho preparation tor the World Conference on Faith and Order furnish.es tin; most remarkable expression. So it was that the Lambeth Conference was led by (die Spirit of God to make tha t noble ‘appeal to all • Christian people. Few men know what that appeal cost of praver and sacrifice that nothing of selfwill might stand in tho way of tho Master’s purpose. The appeal was sent forth, nol as a programme, nor as an ultimatum, but as a vision. There, are not n few who tell us that the vision has {ailed. Do they think, wo wonder, that the differences and divisions of centuries past can be reconciled and healed in a day? But, Inus the vision failed? Tho appeal has been printed in many languages and rent to almost every church in Christendom. The Rinnan Catholic Church has received it with courtesy and expressions of friendly interest. The churches of the East have' met with us in conference and referred the appeal b> their several authorities for careful study. The Church of Sweden has given it more than welcome. It has been adopted by almost every province of our own communion. Tho Presbyterian, Methodist, and other great churches have received it with sympathetic interest. Arrangements are being made with them in England, Scotland, and tho United States for conference. In the groat cities of Australia joint conferences have been held, of which the last, in Melbourne, was full of interest and encouragement. in New Zealand we have made no great advance. By the courtesy of tho General Assembly of tho Presbyterian Church an extract from its records on this subject has been sent to me. which I hope to lay upon the table. Without question wo have been brought nearer to one another by the inliuenre of that appeal. In Christchurch the Ministers’ Association deliberately broke an a nourishing organisation of their own that they might join with us in association for social service. The same thing has been done in other centres, and conferences for prayerful and honest research have been formed in many parts of Now Zealand. The appeal was published only twenty months ago. Who shall say that it has beeen fruitless? Undoubtedly the chief apparent difficulty in the way of reunion is that of episcopal orders. It a-pppears to many that the proposed acceptance, of a commission through episcopal ordination is altogether one-sided. For, although wo express our willingness to accept from other communions such form of commission or recognition as would commend our ministry to their congregation*, they for the must part are prepared to give us welcome without any such commission. From this point of view, ns it seems to me, their contention is sound. The offer is one-sided. But tho discussion lacks breadth of treatment. The Lambeth Conference contemplates a far wider union than this, it is quite possible that tho churches of Hie East would require us to accept some form of ordination • or commission, and, though for tho present tin; Roman Catholic Church seems to be out <•: the question, it is certain that it would require no less. Mo thou it comes to this: that we ask of the Methodist Church, !'.,•• instance, that which it would not require of us, but which wo are willing to concede to others who may require it for the sake of unity of the Church of Christ. In doing this we neither question tho validity of our own orders, nor do wo think to put a slight upon the ministry of others. It is obvious that many churches will unite without any such condition; but I am convinced that, whether episcopal orders are essential or not, the unity of Christendom demands a ministry acknowledged by every pari of the Church. The' universal nractice of the Church tor more Ilian a thousand years cannot bo ignored, Meanwhile the spirit of the appeal is a- bigger thing than the letter of it. IVe may find it difficult to make a definite advance; but “love never faileth.” Wc can endeavor to cultivate a kindlier spirit of interest and intercourse with onr brethren of other communions. Wc have already learned how much we have to receive from them, even though wc think that we. too. have something to giveAfter all. it is onr complacencies and not our diilicultu's which block iho way. If these are broken down our dillicultics will vanish as a dream. The General Synod cannot do- bmiev than adopt the appeal to all Christian people, earnestly recommend to tie 1 Chops, clergy, and laity of this provi’we a loyal adherence to the resolutions be. icd upon it. and desire them bv every means in their power to promote that, unity which is according to the mind of Christ. SV NOD ’DISCUSSION.

The Pi.-hop of Waiapu moved —“That the l-'vnud e.\'| rcss its thankfulness to God for the I, ’"vit movement made towards unity bv (he Lambeth Conference of 1920, and ao -Cou- itself with the resolutions parsed bv the conference on (his great quest inn.'’ Speaking of the schism which undoubtedly (''dated, he said the Anglican ('liimh uni: t acknowledge its share, but, pleaded lor caul ion that the Church might not nidi into any act which might make ' miinn with other bodies dilhcuit later. Jln-y should do all they could to put out hands to non-episcupal churches of the dominion.

Tin' pi;-;, up «f Auckland said lie wanted to fco .-111 r)< 1 1 !ii11;g mure practical done. He moved ns an ajlll’llr'lll visl,, and lie hoped the llisliop of Udiiapu would accept it as an addition to the motion--- I 'That a copy of the i.ami efh resolutions be sent to the head;; id various cliurchfs in Mew Zealand arkmg them if they could see I heir way to en onevale on tlmre lines, and meet in eocferemv wilh a view to coming to an tiiuirrr.taiiing. idie Rriiiiai!.- nipported the amendment, urging the acceptance of the Lambeth’ resol ul ions.

The debate wii.-i adjourned, the Primate, undertaking to bring the subject up on Monday.