Mgr. Williams on Lessons of the Crisis
" We thank God for peace, we thank Him for putting the destinies of the nation into such capable hands at so great a crisis. But if we value the liberty which we enjoy in this country, we must never lose sight of the foundation on which it has been built. The tradition of England is a Christian tradition," said Dr. Williams, Archbishop of Birmingham, preaching at St. Chad's Cathedral last Sunday.
" During these last few weeks democracy has been on its trial; it has been challenged. We thought it secure and proved beyond a doubt, yet it has been suddenly called upon to prove again its
title. .
" Do We Want a Totalitarian State?"
"The totalitarian State leaves no choice to its citizens; the citizens have to obey and to serve and to submit to training and organisation. Individual liberty is subordinated to the common end; the State is supreme, men and women are merely parts of the State machine, and the result is a marvellously efficient engine.
"Do we in Great Britain want that sort of State? If we do not. we must use our liberty to accept discipline willingly, to serve one another, to serve our nation. As we wish to share the benefits, so must we be willing to share the burdens which liberty imposes upon us.. • .
" There is a Belief in God"
"This crisis has brought out the fact that deep down in the heart of the British people there is a belief in God, to Whom in time of great trouble the people turn for help. The same sort of religious feeling in the nation was evident when King George the Fifth died and when our present King was crowned. tri this crisis we have been led by men who believe in God. The King and Queen have exhorted us to trust in God, the Prime Minister and his wife and many of our statesmen have prayed to God, as we have all prayed, to give us peace, and to teach us to act in accordance with His will."