rtions of communities should be fully considered and its
strength and its weakness disclosed by full discussion? The world looks
to its leaders for reasoned guidance, not for assertion which may be but
the husk of a thought that has gone. What is wanted is reasoned
consideration, not unreasoned condemnation. For churchmen and statesmen
alike, opportunism helps in situations which are small, but never in
those which are large; there clarity of principle alone stands forth as
a beacon to light the path.

[Footnote 1: Diocesan Conference at York.]

The fear that discussion of this vital problem will endanger morality
surely loses sight of the fact of knowledge being so fundamental to our
well-being, that incidental dangers encountered along its path must not
deter us from its continued pursuit.

Moreover, it will be noticed that I have discriminated between the
principle of birth control and the methods of its application, the
latter being preferably determined by the advice of the family doctor
rather than by the perusal of books in general circulation.

The attitude of mind of the Church towards the problems of sexual
relationships is part of a larger question, viz., the ever-widening gap
between the formal teaching of the Church and the actual belief of the
present generation, including many who by baptism and early training
belong to her fold.

This gap between authority and actuality of belief imposes a strain on
intellectual integrity and weakens the foundations of a real allegiance.
For those of us who are of mature years the gap is bridged by the tender
associations of our childhood and the memory of parents, for whom no
such gap existed, and whose faith and character have left indelible
impressions on our lives. But for the youth of to-day no such bridge
exists. The War has caused a hiatus and thought has broken with
tradition. Thus, youth is no longer willing to accept forms and formulae
only on account of their age. So it has set out on a voyage of inquiry,
and finding some things which are doubtful and others which are
insufficient, is searching for forms of expression more in harmony with
the realities of life and knowledge. Although becoming estranged in
thought from the Church, it is possessed of deep religious feeling and,
firm on the rock foundation of faith, is trying to build a
superstructure more in accord with the progress of revelation, not only
in religion, but in science, and the needs of t