The Christian Monarchy With Special Reference to Modern Problems of Church Government (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Excerpt from The Christian Monarchy With Special Reference to Modern Problems of Church Government

The consideration of the following pages by one who has been a friend, and with whom I have worked on behalf of Church principles for nearly fifty years, will repay those who are concerning themselves at the present moment with the questions now before the Church.

Amongst those questions none will dispute the importance of the "Life and Liberty" Movement, on behalf of which so active a propaganda is being carried on under the auspices of the Rev. William Temple, D.D.; or how deeply the consequences of that movement for good or for evil may affect the future of the Church of England.

In so far as that movement aims at freeing the Church from the interference of Parliament or the Privy Council in the Church's spiritual affairs, all must wish it success. All must wish it success in so far as it aims at facilitating the passing through Parliament of measures desired by Churchmen, such, for example, as the creation of new sees, or proposals in any way promoting the better administration of Church affairs. It would also, I think, be generally agreed that facilities by which the Church should be able, if occasion arose for any such pronouncement, to express decisively its corporate judgment on such a matter as the "League of Nations" in the interests of peace, or in regard to questions affecting the true basis of social or moral order, raise no question of principle. The laity have every right to make their voices heard on such matters, and it may be desirable that clergy and laity alike, especially in the future that seems to be before us, should be able collectively, and with the concurrence of the whole Body, to express their judgment upon them.

It is a very different matter with regard to the government of the Church. The Church is a monarchy, not a democracy. The provisions laid down by its King for the government of His Church cannot be touched. Though the laity, as members of the Spirit-bearing Body, have every right to be consulted, the government of the Church rests in the hands of the successors of the Apostles.

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