THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1935. PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22708, 22 October 1935, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1935. PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY

In the course of his address at the opening of the Diocesan Synod yesterday Bishop Fitchett made some wise and timely comment on the attitude of the Church, and of Christian people in general, towards the disturbing social problems of to-day. His remarks on unemployment may perhaps be epitomised as an appeal for greater tolerance and a more willing spirit of helpfulness. It is unhappily true that many of us find it so easy to be critical of our less fortunate fellows, and still easier to suspect the motives or find fault with the methods of those on whom rests the duty—-self-imposed or delegated —to solve a problem that seems to defy solution. There is a tendency to look on unemployment as a manifestation of social or economic disturbance related in some mysterious way to the workings of the State, the individual being powerless to intervene or to influence the course of events in any way whatsoever. Expressed in other terms, the idea commonly held is that a solution of the problem of unemployment will only be found along the lines of political action. This conception is partly true. At the same time it is incredibly selfish to assume that the individual has no responsibilities outside of those arbitrarily imposed on him by the State. If he is prepared to help only when the spur of compulsion is applied, there is nothing more certain than that unemployment will never be cured. If he can derive no feeling of pleasure or satisfaction from helping quietly and unostentatiously when the opportunity presents itself, his sense of values must be badly in need of adjustment. Political remedies alone will not suffice to end the suffering and ease the discontent that are the direct consequences of economic upheaval. There are very many among the unemployed who are acutely sensitive, and perhaps resentful, of the status to which misfortune has reduced them. They are, nevertheless, as Bishop Fitchett testifies, bearing their troubles uncomplainingly and with a courage that is wholly admirable. It is this section of the workless, not the few that are unwilling to help themselves, for whose future a community should be most deeply concerned. It is a chastening thing to, be reminded, as the bishop has reminded us, that if there are some among those in need who expect too much, there arc others, knowing nothing of deprivation, who have given too little. The Church can never be charged with failure or neglect so long as it labours to impress that truth homo. And it must be obvious to all who have the wit to observe, whether they arc churchgoers or not, that the Church to-day is exercising a more profound influence on the public mind than at probably any other period in, its history. Its insistent call is for a more Christian spirit, a broader humanity, on which to build for the future. In spite of war, and in spite of social and economic chaos—or it may be because of these things—the Church continues to make headway. At Home its leaders have made many

notable pronouncements during the years of crisis, and have intervened in matters hitherto looked upon as

being definitely outside of the Church’s province. They have stimulated thought, deliberately provoked discussion on grave social and economic issues, and, by their general attitude toward the whole stupendous task of government, have consciously widened the sphere of the Church’s moral authority. No less in this Dominion than elsewhere has the Church striven to perform' its task without fear or favour. It is to its credit that it has succeeded, to an extent perhaps not fully recognised, in creating a public conscience, and, as Bishop Fitchett has said, in inspiring people to give more than lip-service to Christian ideals—- “ even people who do not recognise or acknowledge the source of their inspiration.”