THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18406, 23 May 1923, Page 10

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

CHRISTCHURCH CONGRESS.

GREAT CLERICAL MEETING.

SERMONS OR SACRAMENTS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday. The Anglican Church Congress opened with a choral eucharist service in the Cathedral and a procession of about 100 clergy, including many visiting Bishops. The sermon was preached by Archbishop Julius, who said the congress was sacramental, and, although many controversial subjects would be raised, the delegates would get their light through the spirit of God. ' - , . The first meeting of the congress was held at Christ's College after the morning service. There was a crowded attendance. The Bishop of Dunedin presided, and his subject was -"The Gospel Message." Dr. Bickersteth read -a most erudite paper entitled "The Personal Christ as Saviour and Redeemer." The Rev. E. H. Strong, sub-warden of St. John's College, Auckland, followed with a plea for a sense of proportion in the ministry of the word and the sacraments. "We, of the Church of England," he said, "are suffering from spiritual deafness due to an overdose of sermons with which our ears are burdened. It is time that they were given a rest." He advocated the wider. use of the sacraments, including those of confession and penance. Children, he declared, were "filled up" with Bible stories and made to attend special services and learn. the catechism by heart, but it seemed that they never saw any honour paid to Jesus as in the service of holy communion. Only at the strange age of about 14 were they told that holy communion was 'tho most important service of the church. The Rev. J. H. Rogers, vicar of North East Valley. Dunedin, advocated the simple presentation of the personal Christ of the synoptic gospels. He said the only way' to reach the heart of the ordinary individual was to exhibit Christ in his character,. his work, and his sacrifice, and then to expound the gifts received by the church in the ministry and the sacraments. To say this, he explained, was not to decry theology, of which there was never more need than now as a cure for error. '.•'■, In the afternoon a civic welcome was tendered to the visitors at Christ's College by the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr. J. A. Flesher