Introduction.

What the League implies.

With a full sense of the gravity of their action, certain members of the Church, resident in the Diocese of Auckland, have founded "The Laymen's League of the Church of the Province of New Zealand, "with the purpose, if so desired, of extending its operations beyond the Diocese. In taking this decisive step, they fully realise that the establishment of such a Society raises great issues, which are connected with the most serious aspect of man's life, his attitude towards his Creator and his Redeemer. The existence of the League is the outcome, on the one hand, of dissatisfaction with the government of the Church and with the conduct of Divine Service; on the other hand, of disgust and alarm on the part of many of the most loyal sons of the Church at the open attempt now being made by many of the superior and inferior clergy in England, and in some of the colonies, to restore doctrines and practices of which our National Church was purged at the time of the Reformation, because "they much blinded the people and obscured the Glory of God."

While the Council of the League have had constantly before them that sense of responsibilty which compels them to discharge what they believe to be their duty to themselves, their children, and their country, they have been unmindful neither of the respect they hold to the high officers of the Church, nor of the charity which is due to the honest convictions or to the ignorant prejudices of fellow churchmen, with which they expect to be brought into conflict. Above and beyond all things, they seek to govern and control their own conduct in such direction and fashion as may secure the blessing of Our Heavenly Father.

The Council consider it due to all members of the Church that a clear statement should be made, both of the causes which called the League into existence and of the policy which it purposes to pursue. For the Church of England has entered on what may prove to be an extended period of unrest and danger, because of the present movement to undo the main work of the Reformation, which has received countenance and encouragement from those in high places.