Evening star., 1937-06-06

~ Edward VIII Cosmo Gordon
Ia Lang, the Scots village minis
a ters son who is now the Arch
Plshop OF Canterbury and the first
ubject of the British realm by
1rtue of his high religious ONCE, was
ne most criticized man in the island
Kingdom, and, indeed, in an intensely
Interested United States of America.
Today, only five months later, he has
Feinstated the church he heads and
Everything he austerely and resolutely
tands for on the peaks of universal
respect.
He has done this by the rare mani
feStation of powerful personality
operating steadfastly and skillfully in
ne domain Of statecraft-and show
nanship. He dominated the entire
foronation ceremony in Westminster
Abbey from first to last. He decided just
What words of his own and just what
words OF the new King should reach
he listening and spellbound world
trough the medium of waves in the
fther; and the words of George vi
which he isolated for broadcasting
we're precisely those which refuted the
philosophy and outlook of Edward
III. They were the words pledging
he King to life devoted to duty and
role in which the defense of faith
nd OF the principles of the Christian
Church come first and foremost.
Edits Movie Film.
nd the film cameras and microphones
had been carried out the old arch
bishop sat alone with one other man
n darkened theater and saw the
cremation film run through and had
cut to his liking before he sanctioned
is release. He now heads recall to
eligion and Christian principles in
private and public life which may be
raught with the most momentous
consequences, not only for Great
Britain and her world-ranging empire,
put for all of Christendom in dis
urbed and changing world divided
petveen the forces of war and the
orces of peace.
BACK in 1911, when the princes OF
he church swept down the aisle of
Westminster Abbey for the coronation
King George V, witty British
tatesman murmured to the American
AMBASSADOR: Here comes Gods
Putler,' followed by Gods guide"
The round bland countenance and
humble mien of Randall Davidson,
hen Archbishop of Canterbury, had
armed him the first nickname; and
Fou had only to take one look at the
all figure, the strong aquiline face,
ne lnf1exible aspect of The Most
Severent Father in God, Cosmo Cor
hon, by Divine Providence Lord Arch
bishop of York, Primate Of England.
ind Metropolitan" to understand how
le came to get his myth" name.
Since he became Cosmo Cantuar.
archbishop of Canterbury, on the
etirement OF the aged Davidson nine
ears ago, he has done nothing to
mitigate his myth, and much to en-
arge and intensity it.
There Is story about him which is
not true. but which is part of his
1yth-putting spotlight on the
Mbllc impress he makes. His
rlends presenurd him with his por-
rait. 1t was long in the Royal
academy, and was then transferred to
ne archbishop's palace There, Lang
moved 1t to visiting bishop.
I hear that Your Grace doesn't
Ike it. observed the bishop.
Like 1t? No said the archbishop.
1t makes me a complacent, dicta-
orial. pompous prelate."
And to which of these adjectives,"
Asked the visitor blandly, docs Your
Grace take exception?"
Both Grim and Impressive.
In his black ecclesiastical uniform
His Grace of Canterbury looks a
powerful, grim and brooding person.
fge; in his ceremonial vestments of
Scarlet and gold, with his long crooked
Staf and his snoW-white tonsure, he
makes splendid and impressive
Figure, a matchless model for any
painter depicting the high priest of
great imperial tribe. Nobody who
Faw him perform the elaborate 11OO- |
fear-old. 135-minute coronation SER
flce tas revised slightly by himself)
n the gray old Thames s-side abbey on
May IL, and solemnly place on the
young head of King George vi the
fhousand-year-old crown Of Edward
fhe Confessor, is likely to mistake
|him for less than what-because of his
headship of the Church of England
ne is: The first subject Of the realm.
When they have state business to
flscuss-and they had plenty at the
Lime Of Edward WIS abdication-
The Archbishop Of Canterbury goes
TO see the prime minister in Downing
street. But on state and ceremonial
occasions, the archbishop, as primate
pf all England and occupier of the
chair OF st. Augustine, walks first.
Reading Only Relaxation.
He does not smoke, is sparse eater
and teetotaler works Is and
sometimes an 1S hour day, and beyond
|reading, has no relaxations Books
and flowers are his only earthly
pleasures. Dean Inge the celebrated
gloomy dean" of ST. Paurs (ap-
|poAAieou Wy elle premier, ana so having
nothing to fear from his superior in
the ecclesiastical hierarchy, once sat
lat dinner in a royal house with their
sraces of Canterbury and York, and
made witty comment on this
austerity.
1nse had accepted a glass of wine:
the archbishops drank water. The
port was passed. No" said the
archbishops. Thank you, yes" said
the dean. Then came the cigars and
the archbishops shook tkeir heads
Said the dean to their august host, as
ne took cigar with care; But, sir,
they have other vices!"
Pride may be one vice OF which
|Archbishop Lang could be accused.
FBut II you probed it you would find it
fs not personal pride. He believes
pm pomp and circumstance on great
occasions. because they impress men
with the majesty of the church.
Christ and His Church are his cause
hnd he thinks it helps the cause if he