22 APRIL 1922, Page 14

THE LAMBETH APPEAL AND A UNITED AFRICAN CHURCH.

[To TWA EDITOR 07 THE " SPECTATOR."' Ste,-1 enclose extracts from the- local papers concerning the Kikuyu Conference held on January 23rd, 1922. An attempt in the direction of union among the various bodies of the Anglican Church was made at the recent Diocesan Synod held in Mombasa last August, when the formation of one Province consisting of some eight Dioceses was discussed. as a future possibility. The extreme doctrines taught in the Diocese of Zanzibar presented a difficulty, and it was held by some that such a union might injure the Kikuyu Alliance, which aims at one great United African Church, which would embrace all existing Christian denominations willing to accept the broad basis of the Alliance. Their method for obtaining this end is set forth in their first Reeolution, which was based on the Lambeth appeal not to rest until all can share one ministry. Dr. Arthur, Head of the Local Church of Scotland at Kikuyu, preached in All. Saints' Anglican Church, Nairobi, on. the Sunday following the Conference, and I enclose his sermon, together with a leading article in the East African Standard of January 31st, 1922, the second appeal of which needs special emphasis.

It is difficult to over-estimate the responsibility now resting on the Home Churches, who have it. in their power to block or promote the cause affecting millions of Africans. The Spectator's broad sympathies are, I know, in favour of this movement, and I feel sure I shall not appeal in vain for your sympathy and co-operation. I also enclose a report of the Conference in the East' African Standard of February 1st, 1922, and a letter from the Bishop of Mombasa. The Kikuyu Alliance of 1025 has compelled the whole Christian world to face facts. May we hope that the resolutions which they put forward, or others of a similar character, may meet with the approval of the Church Missionary Societies concerned, and that a United African Christian Church may become an estab- lished fact? I might add that last autumn a Conference of Protestant Missions in the Belgian Congo was held, and a proposal for a Mid-African Conference in 1923 aroused much enthusiasm. The Bishop of Uganda has invited this Conference