INTERCESSION SERVICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 14

INTERCESSION SERVICES

Sir,—l'ossiblv the Anglican Church might be enabled to take part in the weekly intercession services by adopting the procedure that was used during part of the last war. Lunch-hour services were held then in the Chamber of Commerce Mall in Swanson Street once a week, or oltener. My recollection is that one clergyman conducted each service and gave an address, very much after tlu fashion of the present 10 a.m. broadcast services. Sometimes ■visiting ministers were invited to officiate or speak. This arrangement gave each minister a practically tree hand and appeared to satislv everybody. As an Anglican layn>au. I do not like my Church to lay itself open to the charge that it is taking; up an lHih-eentury attitude of superiority to tlie despised "nonconformists." The course suggested should enable it. to come in and make the charge groundless. Brum> CiiCHcn.

Sir, —May 1 reply to two correspondents. members of the Church oi England, who have criticised the bishop of the diocese for his action in declining to join with the Christian Businessmen's Association in the weekly service of intercession.

The bishop in my opinion is quite justified in the action lie has taken. Lot me remind our two good Church people that a daily war intercession service has for some time been held at St. Matthew's Church for the benefit of all citizens.

The Christian Businessmen's Association represents chiefly, if not one hundred per cent, nonconformists. Then may 1 ask the two correspondents why our bishop and clergy should join with tin's body of business men with their service thus clashing (if 1 may use the term) with the service at St. Matthew's. Mv advice to the two Anglicans is that they attend our city parish church daily at 12..10 p.m. The support and welfare of their own Church should be their first consideration. T. X. I'kake.