CALL TO CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20278, 12 April 1934, Page 4

CALL TO CHURCH.

Must Counter Exclusive Nationalism. DANGER OF WAR. NAPIER, April 11. Sixty-four representatives of the various dioceses within the Province of the Church of England in New Zealand are at present in Napier for the twenty-sixth Synod, which is to be held over a minimum period of twelve days. His Grace Archbishop Averill is to preside. To-night choral evensong was celebrated. The Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt Rev Campbell West-Watson) was the preacher. “ To-day we thank God for the amazing missionary enterprise of the nineteenth century,” said Bishop WestWatson, “ but meanwhile new and unexpected forces have entered the field. Russia has presented us with a new world faith which challenges the very existence of God and the spiritual world, and an anti-God campaign is being waged with single-hearted and fiery enthusiasm.” It had seemed a few years ago that the battle for freedom of conscience in all civil lands had been fought and won; but in the general unsettlement to-day old tyrannies were reappearing. What was called scientific materialism was making a bold bid for allegiance, especially of the young in Christian lands, and the security of the home, the basis of missions, was violently threatened. God’s special call to His church at this moment was to play a gallant and fearless part in national and international life. “ First of all,” the bishop said, “ we must give true witness in the face of the rising tide of exclusive nationalism.” He could not doubt that national distinctiveness was one of the richest and most splendid gifts God had given to. the children of man. Vague cosmopolitanism would surely be a disaster; but a nationalism based on the neglect of duty to neighbouring nations, or on the misappropriation of divine favour or the falsification of history was a crime against humanity. A World wide Church. “ And when we turn to the international life of our day.” Bishop West-, Watson continued, “ what a chance there is for a world-wide church. The League of Nations has made a bold bid for brotherhood in the world, and, thank God, still survives; but the nations of the world are busy reinsuring themselves with tariffs and armaments. The stage is being set despairingly or regretfully or desperately for another round old game of war. Nobody wants it, and most fear it; but they can find no alternative. The dead hand of the past reaches out and clutches at mankind. Is there nobody who can be trusted to see fair play ? The answer we must give surely is that there is somebody—somebody deeply implanted in human life and affairs, Christ Himself.”