The vulgar will pay most attention to the Resolutions of
least general import, namely, those upon divorce and birth-control. The latter was the only subject upon which there is a Resolution passed without unanimity but by a majority of nearly three to one. The Conference recommends that divorced persons should not be re- married with the rites of the Church during the partner's lifetime. We presume that this is to be applied even when the first marriage was but a civil contract at a Registry Office. In regard to birth-control the Con- ference rightly puts continence as the obvious means to be adopted, but the majority seems to have been ready to make some halting compromise where there are " moral " obligations to limit parenthood and " a morally sound reason for avoiding complete abstinence." No doubt the minority took the strict view that those who would avoid the responsibility for the consequences of their actions must avoid the actions. This distasteful subject is full of difficulties, for there will never be agreement upon a line to be drawn between man's right and wrong interference with nature. The position of women as Deaconesses is to be enhanced, but the Conference is definitely against their admission to the Priesthood. Unity at home and abroad fills many paragraphs of the Letter and Resolutions. They are characteristic of Lambeth, and show to-day how fruitful have been earlier Conferences, and what good hope there is of more fruit to come. The statements upon Peace and War and Subject Races are firm statements of proper Christian views. The Encyclical Letter, the Resolutions and the Reports of the Committees are published by the S.P.C.K. at 2s. 6d., and should be widely circulated.
