FEAR OF GOD

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 October 1928, Page 3

FEAR OF GOD

ARCHBISHOP’S ADDRESS.

(Special to "Star.")

AUCKLAND, October 10.

“Important as the revision of the Prayer Book may be in England or New Zealand, it is of less importance thap a revival of vital religion and real devotion to the living Christ.” In these words Archbishop Averill issues to churchmen, in his charge to synod, a new and hopeful outlook in place of the spirit of despair occasioned in some circles by the defeat in the House of Commons of the revised prayer book measure. The only solution to the present impasse} in the Archbishop’s opinion, is for the Church to endeavour to amend the Enabling Act of 1919, in order to give affecting faith and doctrine, so long as autonomy does .not affect adversely the constitutional rights of the people. It is intolerable, he said, that Parliament should have the last and vital word with regard to the Church’s interpretation of what it considers to be for the highest welfare of the Church. If Parliament continues to have the right to defeat in a few measures which have taken bishops nearly a quarter of a century to prepare, episcopal supervision is altogether discounted, and there is po outlook for the Church, but a continued reign of lawlessness. After dealing at length with the lessons to be learned from the rejection of revising, the Archbishop continued: Important as the Prayer Book is in the spiritual life of members of the Church, it occupies the position of handy man and not of master. It is a means to an end and not an end in itself. The Church’s work and mission far transcend the importance of the instruments and channels through and by which it expresses its faith and worship. We are living in a fool’s paradise if wo are satisfied to imagine that revised Prayer Book is going to regenerate society. 'Che most serious problem whicli we have to face is the fact that the sense of God has been largely eliminated from the consciousness of men and women and when that sense becomes atropied, materialism, superstition, disregard of moral law and selfishness are bound to assert themselves in individual and national life. The work of the clergy in particular, is most difficult, and often disappointing in these days, and there is a distinct danger of the Church sitting loosely to things which really matter and concentrating upon matters of secondary importance. It is not sufficient to deplore the worldIhiess and want of moral restraint which are so evident to-day. We must endeavour to seek out and remedy the underlying cause, and cause undoubtedly is that there is no fear of God before the eyes of many men and women.

MR. COOLIDGE’S STATEMENT

NEW YORK, October 10.

At. the General Convention of the Episcopal Church to-day, Mr. Coolidge .proclaimed that religion was necessary to the continuation of the American Government, and its maintenance of the liberties and privileges characteristic of American life.