CHURCH AND THE WAR

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17164, 10 May 1916, Page 10

CHURCH AND THE WAR

DEBATE BY GENERAL SYNOD,

" LOST OPPORTUNITIES.” EARLY PEACE UNDESIR ABLE. An interesting debate on the attitude of tlio Anglican Church towards .ho crisis arising from the great war was held at yesterday afternoon’s sitting of tho General Synod. The debate was initiated when Archdeacon Mac Murray moved:—‘‘That this Synod takes this opportun- , ity of, expressing its thankfulness to God for national mercies abundantly manifested during .tho present war; of humbly acknowledging the many failures of both the nation and the Church to use all the opportunities afforded them to help forward the establishment of the Kyi "do m of cur Lord Jesus Christ; and earnestly appeals to the Church to endeavour to inspire tho nation with a whole-hearted loyalty to God, as. the fundamental factor in securing a victory which will havo as its outcome tho securing or peace and goodwill amongst “•Tho mover said that the collect .for the first Sunday after the declaiation nf the war reminded them of God s Providenco in heaven and earth. Such providence was seen in the bringing the nation, in a miraculous way, to tho performing of its pledged word The nation’s unanimous decision u as due to God’s Providence. Another thing due to God’s Providence was the sending of army to France. Had the Government decided to treat the war as a naval one only, utter disaster ( must have occurred. HAND OF PROVIDENCE. The Archdeacon referred to prominent incidents of the war, and claimed that throughout, God’s over-ruling Providence could be traced. Ho instanced he retreat from Mens, the battle of jfpres, etc., and said that, again and again at critical times danger and disaster were averted from the- British forces, in some mysterious way. iot, ho said, ho did not agree with those who spoke of tho British Empire ns the special protege of the Almighty. They should throw all tho resources of tho Empire into the scale and organise their mDitaJy and economic: resources to secure the indisputable victory. The nation had risen to its responsibilities, and had made sacrifices proportionate to those responsibilities. Ho had once said that the men of to-day would not prove to be such good men as thenforefathers proved, but he 'and he took it all back. Never hatt such sacrifices been made as our men were making in this war, whilst our women were also making great sacrifices and had done much to help to relieve tho suffering. NATION’S SOUL UNTOUCHED.

But, continued the Archdeacon, tho soul of the nation had not been touched. They took up their newspapers ns they took up an exciting story, but their souls did not seem to be touched. Tho nation was still spending its money and time on its pleasure and its racing. There was no'evidence that tho nation had been on its knees to God, acknowledging its shortcomings. If the war were to end to-ftiorrow 'it would bo a sad thing, because they should have gained the victory without learning the real lessons which the Almighty intended tho war should teach us. (Applause.) He hoped that there would be no peace secured until the nation was more perfect than it had been to the present. WHERE THE CHURCH FAILED.

Continuing, the Archdeacon declared that tho Church had not risen to the height of her opportunity. They might have prayed more, and been a greater influence on the community. If the nation had failed it- was to a large extent because the Church had failed. _ There had been remarkable demonstrations of loyalty since the outbreak of the war to our earthly King, but more loyalty to the supreme King of Kings was demanded from all.

AN UNSELFISH PEACE. Discussing the terms of peace, the Archdeacon said that plans were in progress to keep Germany and her allies isolated from the world. He wished to ask the Synod to remember what happened after the Napoleonic wars. At tho Congress of Vienna a combination was termed against liberty, and from tho seed then sown sprang the militarism of Germany. In tho settlement of those wars men did not seek to do what was right for humanity, and people now were paying the penalty. If the terms of peace sought after the present war were selfish and merely to servo ambitious ends, so surely would be sown tho seeds of trouble, and further wars for tho generations yet to come. For tho sake of their children and their children’s children, the Church should inspire tho nation to God and bo loyal to Him when

arranging tho terms of peace. (Ap plause.)

DEAN CARRINGTON’S CRITICISMS. Dean Carrington said that they had now been thinking of the war ior a year and a liivlf, and the Archdeacon had summarised in a masterly manner tho stages pf the war. The resolution did not go far enough; they wanted something more. They could join with all their hearts in the thanksgiving for national mercies, which were indeed innumerable. Often liad they seemed on tho verge of disaster, hut they had pulled through. Their faith should grow stronger month by month, as the war went on. The Church bad failed to take advantage of its opportunities. Like - tho military authorities, the Church was not ready when war broke out, and began in a hurry to do things that should have been done years before. People were told to pray, but they bad forgotten bow. Even to this day only a small quota of Church people assembled to pray. The Church was now learning to pray. When theywanted money for the, sick, they had fancy fairs and carnival queens and turned tho whole thing into a great game/ All nations had put aside their Faith in God, depending on their; lea rn- ’ ing and sciences. They were as if chained up, and a tremendous repentance all round was required._ He believed that the war was God’s call to the people. When one thought of tho five millions expended daily on the war, did it not seem appropriate that the money secured by tho worship of Mammon should be so spent in self-sacrifice? When the money had all gone, they would be clean. Tf the resolution wont through in its original form, the world would regard it ns merely a pious opinion. They wanted a real incssago of inspiration. He would .move an amendment that, the Synod should request the Bishops to scud a special massage of guidance.to all people of the Church of England, in the present national crisis. CALL TO REPENTANCE. The Rev A. M. Johnson seconded the amendment. He said that he was disappointed on hearing the Primate’s address that there was no reference to the sending forth of a- mission throughout the country calling upon the people to repentance. However, the Primate probably knew that tho people were not yet ready for such a. mission. (Hear, hear.) THE CHURCH AND NONCONFORMIST BODIES.

Canon Mavne said that lately an opportunity had been given to the Church to lead 80 per cent of the people in one effort. The Nonconformist bodies had applied to tho Church to give them a lead. On Anzac Day, the Church had the opportunity of drawing together people of nil shades of opinion, hut tho Church missed tho opportunity. He was just, as good a churchman as any in the room, and just as catholic in his teaching. If the-Bishop of London and others could see their way to joining in a national service, he did not see why New Zealand could not. (Hear, hear.) Canon Mayne added that the Bishops’ message would fail because ot their refusal to lot Anglicans join in a combined service. Such action had done more harm to religion than anything elso had. (Apolause.) _ His experience was that anybody who wished to speak,in Synod unfavourably to the opinions of the majority of the members, did not get a fair hearing. (No. no.) Well, such was his experience. Unless the Church was willing to join in with other bodies—it was not necessary to sacrifice principles—-they would not lead tho people. The Church was never asked to take second place; it was invited to lead. If the Church refrained from joining in such combined movements, it would, in time, never be asked to join in national movements. (Applause.). A DAY OF PENITENCE. The Bishop of Auckland said that if tho Bishops were going to send any message, it should go forth independently, not through tho Synod. They should havo a Hay ol? Penitence, say, on the Sunday nearest the next anniversary of the outbreak of the war. Cluircbpcoplo were waiting for such a qall from authority. If they went to the root of tho whole matter, wliat was wanted was unity. The war had emphasised the need for unity of God’s Church. He would like tho Synod to make some pronouncement on that subject. There could be no pence in the wolid, or in the Church, until the people wove in earnest in praying for Unity. There was great truth in Canon May lie’s, remarks about, the national side. It was the Church’s duty to take the lead in the people’s intercessions. (Hear, hear.) There was a great difference in the citizens’ commemoration service and, sav, the united services in camp. The latter were frequently irreverent, and were not fair to their own men. PREMATE’S REPLY. The Pripiate said that lie would not like an impression to go forth that the Church had neglected bringing to the notice of the people the need for intercession and prayer. Ho was sorry if his address had disappointed his hearers. He accepted tho suggestion of , the Bishop of Auckland to hold a day of repentance and prayer. BISHOPS’ VIEWS. The Bishop of Christchurch sf id that tho motion was not quite what many of fhesii .would & Adopt as the,

message of the Church on the present crisis. He would not say that the proposed message from the Bishops was the best way, but the Synod could not perhaps frame the best message. The Bishop of Nelson saidr that the debate was saddening, I,lc wished to vote for both motion and amendment. Could thev not he' joined? Finally it was agreed that the words following “ Kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ” in the original motion should be deleted, and that Dean Carrington’s amendment should be added to the motion, which, ‘as amended, was then agrbed to unanimously: