ANGLICAN SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16050, 16 October 1915, Page 5

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

BISHOP ON THE WAR. SOME CANDID CRITICISM. " GERMANY'S SHAME." LESSONS FOR THE BRITISH. The most interesting section of the charge delivered by the Bish<yp of Auckland, Dr. A. W • Averill, at the second session of the 21st synod of the diocese, which opened yesterday, was devoted to the war and to the lessons the Church and the people might gather therefrom. " Germany shame will, indeed, be writ large in. the pages <>f history," said Dr. Averill, " for her deeds of treachery and devilry have stained her once honoured name for all time. What lies behind this pagan idea of destiny, this tremendous preparation and bid for world supremacy, this absolute disregard for the eternal distinction between right and wrong, this will to power by brute force, this policy of lying, subterfuge and deceit, this contempt for Christian ethics? Nothing less than a lost God and a spurned Christ, , The writings of Germany's prominent historians, statesmen, soldiers and philosophersand even some of her theologians are capable of no other interpretation. The doctrine of the superman and the supernatioa can bear no other interpretation." lhe bishop emphasised the terrible seriousness ot the war, and the grave danger that all that was best in the world might be destroyed by a nation ready a " willing to make any sacrifice for the actualizing of its distorted visionand ideals." •tie teaied that the indefiniteness of British ideals and principles had been a source of weakness and an encouragement to the enemy, and that the spirit of ser"'tf and sacrifice had been sadly wanting. ' Have we not been prone to exalt our national virtues and minimise or ignore our national failings?" he asked. "Is it not the case that what we are in face of is nothing less than the breakdown in a certain iaea and hope of civilisation which was associated with the liberal and 1 industrial movement of the last century? There was to be an inevitable and glorious progress of humanity, of which science, commerce, education were to be the main instruments, and which was to be crowded with universal peace. Older prophets like Thomas Carlyle expressed their contempt for the shallowness of this prevailing ideal, and during this century we , have been becoming more and more doubtful of its value. But we are witnessing its downfall." Much as they could do, science, commerce, and education could not expel from human nature love of self, self-interest, selfishness, individual and corporate. Where is the Nation's Patriotism?" " We are appalled at the spirit of men who can strike when a, shortage of munitions and coal means a death-blow to the Empire, ' the bishop went 011. "We are appalled at the thought of men building up fortunes out of war profits, when those profits are so closely allied with the terrible toll of suffering, bereavement and death in our own Empire, and in the countries of our allies- We are appalled to read such a cable as one which appeared in our daily papers, dated September 17 : ' Britain's drink bill for the June half-year was £88,000,000, an increase of £8,000,000.' Where is th» nation s honour, the nation's self-control, the nation's patriotism? We are appalled to think that there should be any necessity for Earl Kitchener's appeal to the public to refrain from supplying soldiers with drink or for the noble example and sacrifice of our King, in order to encourage and stimulate selfcontrol and sacrifice in his subjects. Something to be Thankful Far. The bishop, however, said that the nation could be thankful for the evidence of the Foreign Office White Paper; for the proved value of Britain's democratic principle of diffused power in the various units composing the British nation as against- autocratic centralisation; -for the response already made to the call for service to enable Britain to uphold the sacredness of treaty obligations, and to defend the weak and oppressed; for the splendid loyalty of the allies to one another; for the wonderful perseverance and recuperative power of Russia; for the quiet heroism and patient watchfulness of the indomitable navy; and that the military position of the allies was as good as it was when they considered what might have been on account of British military unreadiness, lack of munitions, and miserable industrial squabbling when coal and munitions were the very sinews of war. It is the spirit of the nation which needs revolutionising, and bringing into line with the spirit of the men who are offering their services and with the sacrifice of wives and parents who are offering their priceless gifts on the altar of sacred duty," said the bishop, and he added that if there was no other way, conscription must be adopted. The Church and Labour. The formation of an evangelistic council for organising extra oarochial work had eventuated. .The council arranged short services for men at the Chamber of Commerce and the wharf last Lent, and, j in response to a request, had continued to j hold weekly services at the wharf with satisfactory results. The work and vision ! of the council might be described as an attempt to give expression to a real desire on the part of the Church to strengthen and support the aspirations of many real leaders and members of the Labour movement for a truer ideal in life and service than materialism could possibly provide. If this war does not help to break down superficial class distinctions and entrenched positions and open the way for a truer ana more unselfish conception of brotherhood by rubstituting the principle of mutual service for selfish individualism thousands of our sons will have died in vain," said the bishop. Mutual recriminations are worse than useless.'" Activities of the Diocese. The bishop reviewed the activities of the diocese during the year. The boundaries commission had done good work in rearranging the boundaries of the numerous and growing parochial districts, and he suggested the creation of a permanent boundaries commission to deal with various questions as they arose. A Diocesan I Sunday-school Teachers* Association had I been formed, with every prospect of doing: really useful work. The appointment of a citv missioner. or evangelist, and a second chaplain for the public institutions would be made when funds permitted. The continued progress of the Tensions fund since it was established in 1888 gave great satisfaction to everyone. Reference was made to the Marsden centenary and to an interesting address on this subject which had been received from the Church of the province of India and Cevlon." The bishop also spoke interestingly concerning Maori missions. Business of the Session. The bishon was thanked for his charge. and the 6vnod commenced the business of the session by appointing officials and committees. A petition asking that the district- of Papakura be constituted was referred to a committee for a report. Consideration of the reoort of the Rtand'ng Committee occupied the remainder of the sitting. The members of the synod attended a special church meeting in the Choral Hall in the evening. This afternoon they, and their families, will attend a reception at Bi«honsconrt. and on Monday the session will be resumed.