CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 26, 28 December 1932, Page 9

CHRISTIAN OUTLOOK.

NEEDED FOR WORLD PROBLEMS.

AUCKLAND, Dec. 26. Necessity for a Christian outlook in facing world problems of the present day was stressed by Archbishop Averill in his Christmas sermon at St. Mary’s Cathedral. He quoted the words of G. K. Chesterton as being of significant truth: “It is not _ that Christianity has failed, but that it has been found difficult and not tried.” Christianity was intended to be a world-wide gospel and power, His Grace said. “Life for every man” was his mottor, and it touched every sphere and department of human life. Men sought to confine it in old bottles, to caricature it, to pretend that it affected only individual life, and life bevond and that it had no message for 'a work-a-dav world. Such statements were lies and libels. An acceptance of universal Christianity would lay the foundation of real peace and brotherhood in the world. It would make wars impossible, abolish antagonism between capital and labour, and jealousies and hatreds which constiuted the world s most senous problems. There were many who did not want these blessings. Christmas Day was an invitation and a challenge to all to renew allegiance and devotion to Christianity. Rea.l, vital Christianity was the only force which could meet with certainty of success the disintegrating forces of the day. The Bible had passed through the fire of criticism and had come out unscathed in all its essential truths. Science and religion had never been on such friendly terms, and the president of the British Association had made a public declaration that scieiice could not attempt to be a substitute f °ln ie England, .recently, a Christian protest movement had been started for the support of religion and nioialitv against the menace of Bolshevik Communism. Serious consideration had been given to development of antireligious propaganda in England and other countries. . , Persecution in Rusisa had prepaied the way for a crusade against religion, which was understood to be world-wide in its operation. Members of Communist parties in all countries were being directed to take part in a cnisade and publications were being issued in German, French and English, and were being distributed to teachers, trade unionists, and members of the defence forces. A play of a blasphemous nature had recently been staged in London, and it was being played all over England with other similar plays. Antireligious films were also being pre-

pared. Against the menace of such propaganda the Christian protest movement was ranged. In the hands of Christians lay the future of the world. “We are on our trial not Christ, ’ the Archbishop continued. “Are we going to allow fog and darkness, and materialism, Atheistical Bolshevism, and so-called self-expres-sion to conquer the world, or are we going to be true to our better selves, and take our stand definitely and fearlessly on the side of Christ?” “The challenge of an atheistic world must not be allowed to go by default.”