THE RETURN HOME

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6998, 3 December 1948, Page 5

THE RETURN HOME

IMPRESSIONS OF A BISHOP

THE LAMBETH COFERENCE AND WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

The following talk, broadcast by the N.Z.B-S. recently, was given by the Right Reverend F. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa, on his return from the Lambeth Conference of Bishops held in London. He said:— After being away for just over seven months you can imagine the happiness that greeted us on seeing once more the beauty of nature, and the charm of Wellington harbour and the wonderful view as we approached the Capita! City of our fair Dominion. I have seen many wonderful places, but never have I appreciated so much the meaning of those simple words: “Home Sweet Home! There’s no place like Home.” The main part of our visit to the other side of the world, was to take part in the Lambeth Conference of Bishops, and to attend the first ecumenical gathering of the World Council of Churches held at Amsterdam. In the few minutes allowed me for this broadcast there is no opportunity of referring in detail to the full significance of either of these remarkable gatherings. They were independent of each other, and both were historic and of world-wide importance. Each marked a milestone in the development and progress of the Christian Church. So let me pick out a few thoughts here and there which I hope will be of some interest to most of you.

The Lambeth Conference usually meets once every ten years, but on account of the recent world-war it is 18 years since the last conference was held. This conference is for those bishops only who are in active service as bishops. It has no ’ legislative power, but it gives expression to the united opinion of the leaders of the Anglican Church throughout the world on spiritual and moral problems. These opinions are brought back by the various delegates to their respective Synods, and not,, until they have been considered and accepted do they become authoritative. The sense of fellowship between the different nationalities was a striking feature. There was no racial division noticeable although there were about 20 different nations represented. Altogether there was 326 bishops from all round the world present, making this the largest gathering of bishops in all history. Our New Zealand delegation consisted of His Grace the Archbishop of New Zealand, the Bishops of Nelson, Auckland, Polynesia, Melanesia and myself as Bishop of Aotearoa. The conference was held at the famous hall at Lambeth Palace opposite the Parliamentary buildings but across the river Thames where Big Ben could be heard striking the passing hours. During the blitz the Germans dropped some bombs on Lambeth Palace, completely destroying part of the Archbishop’s residence includa beautiful chapel; and a bomb had also dropped through the roof of the hall, exploding on the floor. Great damage was done, but many hands made light work of the repairs, and the hall was ready just in time for this great gathering. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Fisher, made an ideal president of the conference, so wise, so thoughtful, so efficient, with a vein of humour which saved the situation whenever things were getting sticky. As an indication of the world-wide nature of this gathering, I might mention that in colour we had bishops white, black, brown an yellow, m nationalities we Irish, African, Indian, West Indies Singhalese, Japanese, Chinese and Maori. The conference met for five weeks, and during that time passed 118 resolutions besides drawing up many reports. These dealt with many problems that we are face to face with to-day. For instance under the heading “The Church and War,” the conference affirms that it is the duty of Governments to work for the general reduction and control of armaments of every kind and for their final elimination, except those which may be necessary for international police protection, but until such time as this is achieved, it recognises that there are occasions when both nations and individuals are obliged to resort to war as the lesser of two evils. Another resolution states: “The conference urges the statesmen of the world together with their people to do their utmost to frame a world policy for the fuller development and a juster distribution of the world’s economic resources to meet the needs of men and women in all nations.”

Time will not permit other quotations, but there were resolutions dealing with Palestine, the church and the modern State, and Education (in which the church is asked to press for the best educational opportunity everywhere for all without racial distinction, and without privilege foij wealth). Other resolutions dealt with the Christian way of life, Co-opsra-tion in Christian action, thankfulness for growing unity, the Church in South India, welcoming the World Council of Churches, a Central training College at Canterbury, the churches discipline in marriage. These are a few of the subjects considered by the conference. The Lambeth report is now printed and anyone may obtain further information by reading the full report. The Ecumenical Council of Churches meeting at Amsterdam lasted a fortnight from August 22 to September 4. It was attended by about 1400 representatives and delegates from all parts of the world and of many different nationalities. Delegates had come from over 140 churches. Apart from the valuable results of the discussions, the fine feeling of fellowship was one of the precious though intangible results of the gathering. We met in a city noted for its beautiful streets, its general architecture, and its canals. It has very ancient as well as modern buildings, and it has many hidden and romantic charms in almost every street. Pageantry at Amsterdam Amsterdam was a city as far back as the year 1300 A.D. It was at Amsterdam that the Germans poured out their fury to such an extent that the city capitulated in five days. For five years was this noble city under

the heei of the enemy. During that time twenty thousand died of starvation, and the Jews were rounded up to the number of one hundred and twenty thousand men, women and ehildren driven oft to the concentration camp prepared for them, and not one returned alive. As a kind of reaction to all that these poor people had suffered, we found them in a light and happy mood. Their wonderful and gracious old Queen Wilhemina, after reigning 50 years was about to abdicate in favour of her daughter, Juliana. The whole city as well as the canals were splendidly illuminated in honour of the Koyal family. Princess Juliana and her husband honoured our conference by their presence on the platform one afternoon. A great pageant depicting the progress of the Dutch nation during the past 100 years was staged at the Stadium. Fifteen thousand people took part in the pageant, playing to an audience of between 50 and 60 thousand people. Over one thousand horses were required for the pageant, and as there were not enough horses in Holland, some were sent from England, and some from other parts of Europe. Queen Wilhemina and all the Royal family were present and received great ovations. One Saturday, His Grace the Archbishop and I took the day off and visited the Hague. One of the first things we saw was the Museum of Horrors where torturing instruments cf unbelievable cruelty were on exhibition. We also visited the Art Gallery and found quite a large number of valuable paints sent over for exhibition by our King from Buckingham Palace. We saw many famous building's (including Ijtbe Palace of Peace built after the first World War by Carnegie. We went on by train to Delft where English Puritans fled to in the year 1608, and 1620 emigrated to America to carve out new homes for themselves there.

We returned to England on September 4. All the time we have been in England" we have had very little time to ourselves. The second day after our arrival from New Zealand, I was sent to Edinburgh in a team of four other bishops. We addressed many schools and colleges, and gajtheringS of businessmen, and women’s meetings. A lot of interest had been taken in our visits and cathedrals and churches were filled. Other overseas bishops were working in similar teams and almost every diocese throughout Great Britain were brought into closer touch with the work of the church in other parts of the world. It was a big scheme and met with remarkable success. The missionary gatherings were always very well attended especially those which were addresses by other nationalities than English. One Mayor told me he couldn’t understand why ■ I wasn’t ’Wack! And why I spoke English as he himself did! I think he was under the impression that New Zealand was in the wilds of Africa!

We were all very pleased with the fine healthy appearance of the children at the various schools and colleges that we addressed. Knowing the hardship that poor old Britain had gone through, one expected to see children half-starved. But the Government authorities have been wise and far-seeing by providing milk, fruit, and in some cases a hot meal in the miudle of the day. They are looking after the health of the children “with a woman’s tender care.” Our New Zealand soldier boys must have been on their best behaviour during their visits to England. Wherever I travelled 1 was thrilled to hear the good reports of the New Such expressions as ‘lthoughful, kind, clean, quiet, and gentlemanly” were some of the remarks made about them.

New" Zealand is very popular with the British, and a warm welcome awaits anybody from this Dominion. Personally, I have had nothing but kindness from beginning to end of my tour. Everywhere they have received me as one of themselves.

The food parcels from this country have been very much appreciated, and the self-denial of New Zealanders generally in sending away seventy per cent of their butter, their meat, their frozen mutton, and their cheese, and in the midst of plenty accepting coupon restrictions so willingly, has created a very favourable impression. Our High Commissioner is still doing a great work for this Dominion. I have no doubt that his kindly and fatherly nature as well as his ability has helped to popularise this country. New Zealand House is a great boon to all New Zealanders. The kindly spirit of Mr Jordon seems to have had an influence over all his staff.

I took a day off to visit St Paul’s Cathedral Crypt to read the many interesting inscriptions. Here are two which are very interesting to us in this Dominion. “To the memory of Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Governor and Premier of New Zealand this tablet and bronze are placed by the Government and people of New Zealand.” Not far removed was another inscription: “To the memory of Richard John Seddon, Prime Minister of New Zealand 1893-1906. Imperialist, Statesman, Reformer. Born June 10th, 1845 at St Helens, Lancashire. Died at sea, June 10th, 1906. Buried at Observatory Hill, Wellington, New Zealand.” At the lower side of the placque are figures of Administration and Justice; on top, the names Wellington. Christchurch, Auckland, Dunedin, Westland, Nelson. So we here in New Zealand have a special interest in these wonderful old cathedrals that symbolise the very heart of the British Empire. We can say with the true Britisher “Our Cathedrals,” for the memory of those who blazed the track when the times were difficult and the country in its infancy, has been perpetuated for all time. A soldier marvelled as he stood gazing at the beauty of St Paul’s and said: “In our country we learn history out of books: In these cathedrals, it lives.”

I felt the same; and so would you. I have come back from a visit to the Motherland, grateful to God for His many mercies to us as a people. Our Motherland is sltill passing through troubled waters. When you realise that one-third of the houses in Great Britain were destroyed by the enemy blitz, you will appreciate her difficulties and sympathise with her in the tremendous effort she is making to rehabilitate herself. I feel confident of the future because her leaders are God-inspired men. On the memorial to the founder of the Empire Day movement, the Earl of Meath, are these words: “To him the

British Empire was a goodly heritage, to be fashioned like unto a City of God.” Here in New Zealand, God’s own country, may each of us be inspired by similar high ideals, and each- in his or her humble way, endeavour to so fashion our beloved country and make it like unto a City of God.