THE PRIMATE'S ADDRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11564, 30 January 1901, Page 4

THE PRIMATE'S ADDRESS.

The Primate's address at the open-1 ing of the Anglican General Synod j is of exceptional interest, nor is it the less acceptable from the broad | and tolerant spirit which inspires it. I We have already urged upon the mis- ( sionary organisations of our colony j the advisability of withholding un- [ married ladies from mission work in [ countries such as China, in view of j the new light thrown upon the situa- j tion by the Boxer outbreak. The Primate endorses our appeal, and suggests that the laudable earnestness of unmarried missionaries would be of great service in the work of j elevating the Maori race. We com- { mend the suggestion to the other religious organisations. That magnificent conception, the federation of the Anglo-Saxon race, finds in Bishop Cowie an intelligent advocate. Itis to be expected that the idea will find its first general support in the great churches which extend indifferently through Empire and Republic, and which realise the insignificance of political division when compared with the unity of religion, language, and race. The Protestant Episcopal Churches of the United States, as the Presbyterian, the Methodist, and others, might be made a powerful lever to influence our American kinsfolk to the consideration of this worthy object. But to the Anglican community itself the deepest present interest in its Primate's address will probably attach to his recommendation " for the compiling of a supplementary volume to the Book of Common Prayer." It is very evident, from the fact that supplementary services, thanksgivings, and petitions have had to be composed and authorised, that the present book does not altogether meet requirements. But it is hoped that any permanent supplement will be most carefully and laboriously prepared, so that it may be worthy of being placed beside a volume which ranks as one of the monuments of English Letters. The solemn stateliness of the Prayer Book has profoundly affected our language, as its breadth and purity have profoundly affected our thoughts. . It has been the well from which the English race has drunk in the rhythmic speech of the scholars, as the Bible has been the crystal spring of English as it is " understand ed of the common people." A church which has such a national treasure in its care owes it to all to maintain the standard, which the hasty binding together of hastily issued services most certainly would not do. Whether a compilation of any sort could be agreed upon at the present time is, of course, a totally different matter.