CHRISTIAN WITNESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21263, 17 August 1932, Page 13

CHRISTIAN WITNESS

CAMPAIGN OF CHURCHES

MANY. SERVICES ARRANGED

The campaign of Christian witness, to be held in Auckland City and suburbs from August 28 to September 5, is to be tho greatest concerted effort made by tho various Churches in New Zealand. The idea originated in a resolution passed unanimously by the Lambeth Conference of Bishops in 1930, commending the Anglican clergy to unite with Christians of other denominations in acts of public witness to the truths held in common by all Christian Churches.'

The Auckland Council of Christian Congregations adopted the proposal last December and has since been organising an eight days' campaign throughout the city and suburban area. Each district will make its own local arrangements. For months past united devotional services have been held in turn in each of the churches. A house-to-house canvass has been .made 'and the response has been gratifying. A manifesto issued by the council declares that the troubles which perplex ow Zealand and the world in general aro duo primarily to spiritual and moral faults rather than economic necessity, and that the greatest need of the ■world is for Christian hearts, Christian minds and Christian tempers.

Thursday, August 25, has been appointed as a day of special prayer for the campaign. Half-hour services will bo held in St. Matthew's Church, from 12.30 p.m. onward, conducted by Archdeacon MacMurrav, the Revs. W. Lawson Marsh, E. 1). Patcliett. A. V. Whiting. 0. Albright, W. Bower Black, IT. A. G. Clark and Captain Hayes. Special services will be held in all churches on Sunday, August 28. and September 4, and during the intervening week united meetings have been arranged, appealing to all sections of the community.

The campaign will close with a demonstration* in the Town Hall on Monday, September 5, when the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, will preside. A massed choir, under the baton of Mr. Len. Barnes, of IVA, will lead flic singing and render the Hallelujah Chorus. 'J he speakers will lie Archbishop Averill and the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh, the president of the Council of Christian Congregations. The'proposed procession of witness has been abandoned in view of the prohibition against public assemblies in the st rccts.