RELIGION AND CIVICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19069, 15 January 1924, Page 6

RELIGION AND CIVICS

THE CHURCH’S OPPORTUNITY. POLITICS BUT NOT PARTY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 14. (Received Jan. 14, at 7-10 p.iru) A manifesto signed by the Bishops of Lichfield, Woolwich, Winchester, Chelmsford, Liverpool, Manchester, St. Albans, and Southampton on behalf of the Industrial Christian Fellowship which was formed in 1920 to bring religious influence to bear on industiial and social problems, states: “It is no exaggeration to say that the Church is presented to-day with the greatest opportunity since Pentecost if only it can effectively proclaim the Kingdom of God to statesmen, employers, controllers of combines, trade unionists, and labourers as offering the key to the true relationship of man to man and nation to nation. It is time that every pulpit reference to a public question ceased to be called politics.’ The word is often used disparagiuglv of the purest and most elementary application of Christian ethics to affairs. The Church should seek freedom from party politics, but every pulpit should resound with national politics. Avarice, the unwillingness to wort hard, and a selfish indifference to the sufferings of others lie at the root of political and economic evils. Against these as well as against dishonesty and intemperance the Church ought to warn men and declare the Gospel as the remedy.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.