The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-10-05

LONDON (By Cable)-A rapid
ly growing public interest in post
war reconstruction Is credited by
observers here for the unusually
sympathetic and widespread press
eoverage afforded the Industrial
Christian Fellowship's recent mass
meeting In the Royal Albert hall
Addressed by the archbishop Of
Canterbury. the archbishop OF
York, and Sir Stafford Grips. the
meeting. a follow-up Of last years
Malvern conference. drew an est
mated attendance of 5000 persons,
with an equal number turned
away.
Unprecedented national interest
In the gathering, II Is believed
here, caused a number of news
papers TO modify their customary
critical attitude when church lead
ers speak on political and social
questions.
One of the features Of the Al.
bert hall meeting was the array
of dignitaries, representing both
church and state, in attendance.
They included Anglican bishops
free church leaders, eastern ortho-
dox churchmen. and diplomats
Prominent among the latter WA
u. S. Ambassador Winant. The
sword of the spirit movement
(Roman CatholicJ and Cardinal
Hinsley sent personal representa-
tives.
Although the gathering was
widely reported throughout Eng.
land, neither primate added any
thing to previous affirmations that
the church's duty is to take part
in social reconstruction.
Church and Society
The archbishop Of Canterbury
pointed out that the church hac
both the right and the duty tc
state principles which should gov.
ern the ordering of society.
While it Is universally recog.
nized, he said, that the church is
concerned with individual conduct
many persons disputed its right
to lay down principles governing
the action Of corporate groups,
trade unions. employer declarations
and national states.
This distinction, the archbishop
added, is untenable, for the "brok.
en- fellowship of society rests or
the materialism of our habitual
outlook"
In language reminiscent of Nal.
vern, the archbishop urged ma
tional control of land ownership
and money, the RELOCATION of the
profit-making motive in industry
to second place, fair distribu-
ton Of material goods. and a unit.
ed nation with no class distinc-
tons.
The archbishop OF York voiced
the need for a central planning
authority for housing with COM
prehensive powers to avoid the
disastrous mistakes" following
the last war.
Voicing an urgent plea to
courageous Christians" to play
an active role in political life, Sir
Stafford Grips. Great Britain's
lord privy seal and leader Of the
house of commons, declared that
Christian principles must be made
so to permeate public opinion
that no government can act
against them"
These principles, said Sir Stat
ford, must be related to the So
cial and economic problems of the
moment" and must not be mere
vague idealistic platitudes, unre-
lated to the actual structure of
our society or to the burning prob
lens that vex the people"
Emphasizing that it is not the
function Of the church to ENTER
the list of political parties" the
lord privy seal said:
1T Is for the church to provide
the moral force and driving power
for social and economic develop
ments. The technical details of
government and legislation are for
politicians.
Hits SUNDAY Religion
ct is the duty Of the church to
interpret the Christian ethic in
relationship to the present day
facts Of life-often hard and IN
pleasant facts arising from our
neglect in the past. The strength
Of the moral leadership Of the
church will depend on the cour-
age and the firmness with which
this Interpretation is given and
insisted on"