FELLOWSHIP.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16816, 14 August 1920, Page 6

FELLOWSHIP.

THE IDEAL OF CHURCHES. . LAMBETH CONFERENCE APPEAL. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. LONDON, August 12. The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued an encyclical on behalf of the Lambeth Conference. Ho says:— “The idea which dominated the conference, and one which is prevalent and potent throughout the world to-day, is the idea of fellowship. Four terrible years’ loss of international fellowship emphasised its value, but the war, which broke one fellowship, created others, and nations became associated and alliances became cemented with their blood. Thus to a world craving for fellowship we present our message. ‘ ‘The Church must itself be a pattern of fellowship. Men began to think of a reunion of Christendom as an imperative necessity, and in the shadow of suffering the ancient Eastern Churches drew nearer to our own than ever before. _ All realised that reunion was a most important subject, and it was entrusted to the largest committee ever appointed in the Lambeth Conference, and the decision was reached by almost complete unanimity. “It is not by reducing groups of Christians to uniformity, but by rightly using their diversity, that the Churches can become all things to all men. Wo are convinced that this ideal cannot be fulfilled if groups are content to remain separated, or joined only in some vague federation, Their value in Christian life can only be religion, and if they unite in one visible society, bound by ties of common faith, common sacrament, and common ministry, this vision points a way to reunion. The road may not be short, but we believe it to bo sure.” The encyclical then urges an improvement of fellowship within the Anglican communion as the most direct method of preparing for reunion. The Church must trankly acknowledge that it has undervalued and neglected the work of women. It approves the revival of the order of deaconesses. Tho encyclical, referring $o spiritualism, Christian science, and theosophy, declares that their teachings injure spiritual life and endanger loyalty to Christ, but it recognises that these movements are largely reactions against materialism. There would be something wrong with the Church if it failed to afford refuge against materialism. There was much in Christian science which ought to be found within the Church. Many distracted souls turned to spiritualism for help, not realising that the Church had abundant treasures to bring comfort and solace to a world confronted with an internecine conflict between Capital and Labour. Each was aiming at exclusive supremacy, and such a supremacy was not consistent with the Christian ideal of fellowship. The encyclical urges men to rearrange their mutual and to coaso competing in a spirit of suspicion and hostility. It was Christian justice that all should share equitably in tho results of labour. Tho letter appeals for international fellowship, and commends the principles underlying the League of Nations. CONFERENCE DECISIONS. While the Lambeth Conference considered it necessary that tho United Church should have an episcopal form of government it is inferred that it must bo an episcopate without prelatical elements. The conference passed a resolution that the peace of the world, no less than the Christian principle, demands the admission of Germany and other nations into the League of Nations at tho earliest moment. The conference recorded its protest against the colour prejudice among tho different .races of the world, which hinders intercourse and gravely imperils tho peace of the world. The conference, in approving tho creation of deaconesses, left it optional whether candidates cared to pledge themselves to a life of celibacy. An opportunity should he given qualified women to speak in consecrated and unconsecrated buildings. Resolutions declared spiritualism as a ndt which involved subordination of the intelligence and will to unknown forces, md to that extent it_ was an abdication jf self-control to which God called us. There was a direct tendency in Christian science to a pan-theistic doctrine, while a denial of the reality of disease and was irreconcilable. The Bishop of Auckland was a member of the Industrial Social Problems .Committee, and he remarked as significant that there was no area in New Zealand in which prohibition had been carried by a three-fifths majority which h"'’ ’’everied from ’ts nrevious decision. The committee declared that it was Bn offence to tho conscience of the Christian community that men able and willing to work should be forced into idleness. It affirmed the principle of a living wage. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.