WORLD COUNCIL

Opunake Times, 17 August 1948, Page 3

WORLD COUNCIL

148 CHURCHES CO-OPERATE AMSTERDAM MEETING An event of unprecedented importance in Christian history will take place on Sunday, August 22, and the clays of the fortnight following. It is unlikely that the eyes of the world will be turned to Amsterdam at that time; but they well might be. For what is to happen there concerns the deepest issues of human life and the well-being of each individual and nation. Since 1910 the Christian world, apart from the Roman Church, has been moving through World Conferences to world-wide Christian co-operation. A magnificent programme of war-time service was possible through the provisional committee of the World Council of Churches which was "in process of formation." The full consummation of the process, the establishment of the World Council, is now being undertaken b,y representatives of 148 communions (denominations) from 40 countries in all continents. The Eastern -Orthodox Church, which separated from the Church of Rome in the eleventh century, will take part. So will Lutherans, Old Catholics, Anglicans, Reformed Churches, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Congregationalists, Churclie's of Christ, Armenians, Ethiopians, Evangelicals, Salvation Army, Society of Friends and some of the United Churches such as those of South India. China, Canada and Japan. About three hundred million Christians will thus bear witness to the unity they have in Christ. They will begin a co-operative life which enable them to speak with one voice on the great issues confronting the world, asserting Christian principles as si counter to materialistic secularism.

The opening service of tlie Amsterdam gathering" will be held in the cathedral of Holland, next Sunday the Nieuwe Kirk (New Church) built exactly 300 years ago and the scene of T:he crowning of Queen Wilhemina and other State functions.- Dr. John R. Mott, one of the five Presidents, who recently received the Nobel prize for his Christian leadership, will give the opening address.