"FAR FROM PERFECT."

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 98, 27 April 1911, Page 6

"FAR FROM PERFECT."

NEW ZEALAND CHURCH

AN INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP ! JULIUS. i

AUCKLAND, April 24. One of the missionaries from England who recently visited New Zealand is credited with having used the words "Nerveless, asleep, anssmic, and self-satisfied," as descriptive of the ■ Church in New Zealand. Bishop i Julius, of Christchurch, acting Pri- ' mate of New Zealand, speaking on ' the subject to a reporter, said that I though he did not agree with what I was said by the missionary he thought i New Zealand wanted stirring up not i only the Church, but the people gen- i erally. The country had been wrapped in prosperity, and the people consequently thought more of making money and enjoying themselves than of higher things. "We are not self-satisfied1, however," continued Bishop Julius, "for if j we were we would not have spent some j £4000 on organising the general mis> i sion which recently visited the Domin- * ion. This mission has been a great blessing to the Church and the Dominion. I emphatically say that selfsatisfaction does not exist, for tho

clergy feel the need of help. Theif desire is to see the Church stronger and better than it is at present." Bishop Julius went on to say that a country would not sober down until some national disaster occurred. Then the effect on the country would be the same as on an individual who has met with some trouble. "We are far from perfect," added the Bishop, "but we are not so hopelessly bad as our visitor suggests."

The great good that has resulted! from the visit of the mission wastouched upon by the Bishop. In allaccruing from the visit,, which was amply justified. It helped the clergy especially the younger men, and showed them a higfc level to strive for. It was impossible for the mission to visit all parts of New Zealand, but the Bishop stated thatin his diocese tEe local clergy were carrying on the work of the mission in places whicß had not been covered by the visitors. One of thechief fruits of the mission was the establishment of the Church of England's Men's Society, which had spread so rapidfy that branches nowexisted throughout the Dominion. The idea was first taken up when theRev. Mr Woollcombe toured New Zealand just prior to the arrival of the mission, and the - missionariesplaced? the scheme on a sound' footing. These societies would' have a good; effect on the youth of the Domihibatj; who. he thought, compared" favorably with the rising generation; in any other ohter country.