ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8281, 24 October 1905, Page 5

ANGLICAN SYNOD.

Religion and Politics

Address by the Primate

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

Dunedin", Last Night,

The Anglican Diocesan Synod was opened this afternoon, when the Primate delivered his presidential address. He reviewed social questions at length. Referring to Socialism, he said those who separated themselves from the observances of religion and denied the faith — saying: " The Church is no good to us, because it does not lend itself to the accomplishment of our particular desires"—gave proof that they had not learnt the meaning of Christianity, nor wherein lay the secret of its power. The clergy did not ally themselves with party politics, nor connect themselves with schemes which aimed at making

people good by force. 111-informed and impatient persons accused the Church of indifference, but he pointed out that the Church grappled with sorrows the results of breaking her laws, and, with loudly uplifted voice, proclaimed almost daily that neither drunkards, nor adulterers, nor extortioners had any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

The Primate went on to apply these principles to special questions. He did not presume to say which way the people should vote on no-license, but if any thought that the law of love for the weak and even depraved over-rode the law of liberty, and that the many must be compelled for the sake of the few, he left that to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Enough had been written in the attempt to prove that the State had no right to teach religion, but he did not know- that any had attempted to prove that the State had a right to prevent othersfrom so doing, whether parents themselves desired this religious teaching or not. He would have representatives instructed to demand the removal of all restrictive legis lation, so as to give the churches liberty to prove themselves sincere.