DR COSMO LANG ENTHRONED AT CANTERBURY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18629, 5 December 1928, Page 9

DR COSMO LANG ENTHRONED AT CANTERBURY.

CHURCH MUST UNITE, DECLARES PRIMATE. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received December 5, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 4. Canterbury awakened early to the pealing of bells calling dignitaries to Holy Communion preliminary to Dr Cosmo Gordon Lang’s enthronement as Primate. There was a representative gathering of Privy Councillors, members of the Cabinet and military officials. The cathedral looked magnificent. Dr Lang was placed in the great Archiepiscopal throne, and was then conducted t£> St Augustine’s age-old marble chair. The Dean enthroned him as the ninety-seventh Archbishop. The service was conducted in English instead of being partly in Latin as formerly.

Archbishop Lang, in an address, said: “ Only one religion, the Gospel of the Son of Man, can withstand the fall of the ancient religions under the advance of self-sufficient material civilisation. The Church will be rent by a schism unless it becomes one body. Thank God, there is a strong desire for unity moving through the broken ranks.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, during his enthronement, announced that he had had six hours’ sleep last night. Prefacing his sermon, he said: “Our thoughts have been turning from this cathedral to the sick bed where our beloved King is lying. There is some fitness that a gathering so specially representative of the Church and nation should atr the present hour be assembled to make a united remembrance of our King before God. Although all anxiety is not yet removed, we have good cause to be hopeful.” Prior to the Archbishop’s address the congregation, before standing in silent prayer, were exhorted, “Ye shall pray for the King that God may uphold and strengthen him in his weakness and that ere long he may be restored to health.” —Australian Press Association —United Service.