THE BURDEN OF EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 26, 15 September 1911, Page 7

THE BURDEN OF EMPIRE.

The Aichfiishop of York, in his later to the diocese,, referring to the Joroiiation, says:— “It remains, for us as citizens and •hurchmen to continue and deepen no impi cssipns it has, made upon mu lalional conscience and imaginations. )f. the reality of those impressions, fliero can. I think, be no doubt. I •an certainly speak for those who ware pm ilegcd to be present in the i Vbboy, and they are not likely to forget the spirit of religions sincerity vhidi animated the groat service. Wo have all boon reminded, with the utmost solemnity, that- the fonndaion of iur national life is the faith md fear of God, and that, only in so hr as that life is true to its foundaion can it be cither stable or strong; ! n the message which it was given to no to deliver in the Abbey I said: May this, great people make and seal this day a covenant of service with mr fathers’ God.’ If that covenant has in any sense been made, let ns fulfil it by afore earnest and self-sac-rificing service of our King and country in loyalty to the Kingdom of God. Vnothcr impression, which neither those who were present in the Abbey lor those who were associated in spirt elsewhere with the great service -•an ever forget, is that of. the overvholming burden of responsibility laid upon the King. I hope that this impression may lead us all to a more aithful and reccllectivo use of t.ho players for the King provided ‘n our Prayer Book. We are sometimes apt to recito and follow them in 'a very formal manner. The Coronation ought ro make our use of them earnest and real. In. this connection may T say that the responsibilities of a King vere never more anxious than at the present time, when Parliament is adIressing itself to the consideration of me of the most momentous crisis in the -constitutional history which lias jvor occurred. I hope' that in all ihurches, especially in tins fateful month, the prayer for Parliament will be used regularly and devoutly. May the spirit of wisdom and of recollection of the great issues at stake control the spirit of prejudice and of patty rancour, and bring about some settlement which will be both wise md permanent. ‘‘Once again, no one can fail to bo impressed, by the revelation which the Coronation Service gave of the true relation between -Church anu State. There, in tbo most striking manner, the spiritual significance of the State was presented. Never, surely, was tbo truth more solemnly set forth that ‘the powers that bo are ordained of God’; that both the work of the State and tbo claim which it makes upon its citizens are in the true sense spiritual. On the other hand, the Coronation revealed t' e position of the Church in our national life. Its ministry anointed and crowned the King, not by virtue ol legislative enactment,.hi. tby virtue of 'die connection between Church and 3fato’, which goes down to the ve.-y root of our national history. It : s for the Church still to hallow'and consoca.te the national life, to remit!l u )f the allegiance which it owes to the Kingdom of God, and..to keep it true to the great ideals of Christian life. Just as our ancient monarchy has aeon called upon to face the; task of preserving in unity a groat federation of nations, so also our ancient Church must gird up its loins for the new and wider service of continuing its agelong witness among new nations across the seas.’ ,