CHURCHMEN MEET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23504, 15 November 1939, Page 14

CHURCHMEN MEET

THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL CHRISTIANITY IN DOMINION BISHOP BENNETT'S ADDRESS The great need for more of the evangelical spirit among both Maori and European was stressed by the Rt. Rev. F. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa, in an address at the annual festival of tho Auckland Diocesan Churchmen's Association, in St. Mary's Cathedral last night. The president, Archbishop Averill, conducted the service and there was a very large attendance from city and suburban parishes, as well as a party from tho Hauraki Plains.

liefer ring to the spiritual and moral state of New Zealand to-day, Bishop Bennett said ho had heard it claimed that only 3 per cent of the adult population was in the churches. There was a danger of the nation forgetting God. Materialism and pleasure had become gods and church life had been put on ono side.

It was for them to bring the people back to the churches. Throughout tho world to-day there was greater opposition to the spread of Christianity than at any time in the last 100 years. It was because countries had not found in Chrisian people the fruits of their Christianity. There was not enough practical Christianity. The best patriot was the best Christian, Bishop Bennett said. World peaco could never bo achieved without world evangelisation. The lesson was read by Mr. W. J. Hampton Reynolds. After the service members were entertained to supper in St. Mary's Hall by Archbishop nnd Mrs. Averill. Expressing his pleasuro at the large attendance the archbishop said the association had become a real power in the diocese. It was particularly important at the present time to muster Christian forces and he felt there was a tremendous call to them to rise to the occasion.