THE CHURCH OFENGLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 April 1934, Page 7

THE CHURCH OFENGLAND

GENERAL SYNOD AT NAPIER BISHOP WEST-WATSON’S SERMON (By Telegraph—PreßS Association) NAPIER, 11th April.' Sixty-four representatives of the various dioceses within the Province of the'Church of England in New Zealand are at present in Napier for the twenty-sixth Synod, which is to be held over a minimum period of 12 days. His Grace Archbishop Averill is to preside. To-night choral evensong was cele-brated.-..-The -Bishop of Christchurch, (the Rt. Rev. Campbell West-Watson) was the preacher. “To-day we thank God for the amazing missionary enterprise of the ninetenth century,” said Bishop WestWatson, “but meanwhile new and unexpected forces have entered the field. Russia lias presented us with a new world faith which challenges the very existence of God and the spiritual world, and an anti-God campaign is being waged -with single-hearted and fiery enthusiasm.” It had seemed a few years ago that the battle for freedom of conscience in all civil lands had been fought and won; but in the general unsettlement 10-day old tyrannies were reappearing. Wliat was called scientific mateiialism was making a bold bid for allegiance, especially of the young in Christian lands, and the security of th e home, the basis of missions, was violently threatened. God’s special call to his church at this moment was to play a gallant and fearless part in national and international life. “First of all,” the bishop said, “we must give true witness in the face of the rising tide of exclusive nationalism.” Ho could not doubt that national distinctiveness was one of the richest and most splendid gifts God had given to the children of man. Vague cosmopolitanism would surely be a disaster; but a nationalism based cn the neglect of duty to neighbouring nations, or on the misappropriation of divine favour or the falsification of history is a crime against humanity. ■ “And when we turn to the international life of our day,” Bishop WcstWatson continued, “what a chance tiiefe is for a world-wide church. The League of Nations made a bold bid' for brotherhood in the world, and, thank God, stm survives; but the nations of the world are busy reinsuring themselves with tariffs and armaments. The stage is being set despairingly or regretfully or desperately for another round old game of’ war. Nobody wants it, and most fear it, but they can find no alternative. The dead hand of the past reaches out and clutches at mankind. Is there nobody who can be trusted to see fair play? The answer we must give surely is that there is somebodysomebody deeply implanted in human life and affairs, Christ Himself.”