The Daily News TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1926. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1926, Page 8

The Daily News TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1926. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

With the consecration and enthronement of the first Bishop of the new Waikato-Taranaki diocese another milestone has been passed in the history of the Anglican Church in New Zealand. It would be difficult to find a more impressive and uplifting ceremony than that which took place at Hamilton Cathedral on Sunday last, when the Venerable Archdeacon Cherrington was installed as the first leader of the new dioeese which has been taken from that of Auckland. This increase in the ranks of Dominion prelates indicates conclusively that not only is the population of this country continuing to increase, but that the work of the Anglican Church is exhibiting a corresponding growth, notwithstanding the shortcomings alluded to by Archdeacon McMurray. If, as he stated in the course of his appropriate sermon, “apathy, indifference and absorbtion in the pursuit of pleasure are undoubtedly characteristic of many professing Christians today,” it may charitably be assumed that these drawbacks, while outward and visible signs of the change which has taken place since the year 1914, are not necessarily indicative of a falling off in the spiritual life of the people. Rather are they evidences of a new outlook on life, yet beneath the surface still runs a rich vein of faith and a willingness for good works. Considering that a century ago there was not a single Anglican Bishop south of the Equator, nor one in Africa, and only one in all Asia, while New Zealand was only served by a few enthusiastic and heroic missionaries, the dominant note of today should be one of gratification that not only has the Anglican Church made such great progress, but that every other church has participated in a similar‘progress. Most pleasing of all has been the growth of amity between members of the various Churches and their readiness to co-operate in all causes needing help. The spirit of catholicity is, as regards essentials, expanding and making for closer union, even though occasional outbursts of sectarianism are unhappily brought into evidence. The multiplication of dioceses and bishops will not of itself be productive of raising the spiritual life of the people to a higher plane any more than a multiplication of Cabinet portfolios will add to the prosperity of the country. The need of this and all other ages is active and practical Christianity; for* more good Samaritans and fewer Levites who pass by on the other side; for a clearer and loftier sense of brotherhood. It is to the leaders of the Church that the people will naturally look for examples of true Christianity, hence the importance of fit and reliable leadership, always keeping in view that forceful example and helpful advice and stimulation count for much more than forms, ceremony or ecclesiastical state, i A hopeful indication of the growth of the spirit of union in the Waikato-Taranaki dioeese was evident in the bishop’s first sermon in that capacity. Bishop Cherrington claimed that the Church was catholic to the full and yet evangelical, and that by paving the way by means of the exhibition of sympathy, friendliness and brotherliness, there will one day be “a great re-union of their wandering brothers and sisters, sons-and daughters.” There is a large field for episcopal effort in vitalising the Church in the new diocese, as well as ample scope for well directed efforts to make Christianity a real religious influence in the lives of the people, and not a mere profession. Surely with a new bishop and a new diocese there shall be an awakening from apathy and an impetus given tor the practical exhibition of Christian teachings.

THE VALUE OF THE LEAGUE. If there were any doubts as to the value of the League of Nations, and particularly of the Locarno Pact, the events of the past week-end should certainly dissipate them. One of the first fruits of the Locarno agreement was the entry of Germany into the League, an action which prepared the way for the discussions at Thoiry between the French and German Foreign Ministers which, if they did not result in all that was hoped for, did at least leave the door open for further negotiations. It has also created an atmosphere of tolerance, the value of which is demonstrated by the manner in which tho disarmament of Germany has been discussed. Instead of Germany being directed as a vanquished nation to carry out the behests of her conquerors her disarmament is being insisted upon as a beginning of a more general scheme of reducing warlike preparations in Europe as circumstances permit... From the findings of the Allied Ambassadors Conference, it is obvious that in some respects Germany has not fulfilled her obligations. Instead of being driven by force to so doing the signatories to the Locarno Treaty have used the method of reasoning with her, with the result that a settlement of a grave difficulty has been achieved. It is only the improvement in the relations between France and Germany that has made this practicable, and this alone has more than justified Sir Austen Chamberlain’s statesmanship in evolving the Pact, which first created a common ground upon which erstwhile adversaries could meet in amity. In regard to tho relations between France and Italy, there appears to be some cause for concern. Whether it is true that the Fascist! have got out .of hand or not time alone will show. No doubt there has been a good deal of exaggeration indulged in by both of the two nations, and probably many of the happenings which have caused irritation in France have been beyond the power of either Government to prevent. Here again the value of the League as a steadying influence can fib recognised. If Sir Austen Chamberlain ait this session of the Council can bring together the French Foreign Minister and the Italian Dictator’ he will have rendered one more outstanding service for the cause of peace and prosperity of Europe.