The Rt. Rev. Stanley H. Atkins, who died on Epiphany [p. 6], will be mourned by many throughout the church, and particularly by The Living Church family. We express our sincere condolences to Mrs. Atkins, the bishop's devoted companion during his long ministry, and other members of his family.

Bishop Atkins was a man of great learning, wide interests and keen sense of humor. A powerful preacher and speaker, he did not need to glance at his notes in order to give a forceful and moving exposition of Christian basics. We can imagine that he might have been happier using his gifts during a calmer and more peaceful era of Christian history. He was, however, called to serve in a period of turbulence. When many panicked or were swept to and fro by the winds of doctrine, Bishop Atkins stood firm in his faith and his devotion to the church, and advocated wise and moderate policies. He knew what he believed, but was willing to listen to the views of others. We must think of him above all as utterly committed to the Christian faith as expressed in the historic catholic traditions of the Anglican Communion. Of this faith he was a constant defender.

During the years he was president of the board of directors of the Living Church Foundation, his leadership gave assurance that this magazine is committed to the catholic vision of the historic faith, while at the same time being a journal respected and trusted by people of all perspectives in the church.

One monument to Bishop Atkins is particularly appropriate - namely the Outline of the Faith, or Catechism, in the present Book of Common Prayer (pp. 845-862). He was chairman of the committee that did much of the preliminary work for the compilation of this Catechism. It is a historic document, expressing with force and brevity a broad picture of the teaching of the church, presenting in an acceptable manner topics which in previous centuries had been objects of acrimonious debate. Many of us are profoundly grateful that things Stanley Atkins so deeply believed are in the Catechism formally endorsed by the church he so deeply loved.