The Conference has gathered each decade, more or less, since 1867, representing something called the "Anglican Communion." This phrase derived, in the mid-nineteenth century, from the great missionary expansion that saw Anglican churches planted around the globe. Originally meant to gather Anglican bishops for consultation and "fellowship," the Lambeth gathering grew in influence, and its resolutions attained significant authority.

In addition, the stirring morning devotions that Bishop Thad Barnum gave brought hope to those struggling on the mission field. He encouraged us to stir up the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows on every person, lay and ordained, for ministry!

Then it was the Reformation that gave impetus to the modern world, Guinness maintained. Indeed, "the Reformation created the modern world." He said that "for 500 years, the West has dominated the world." He added that from the Jewish perspective, the Reformation was a rediscovery of the Torah. When historians say that "'Western civilization is the greatest civilization, ever,' that's not a moral compliment," he said.

There is no doubt that Queen Elizabeth inherited a very difficult task in managing the transition from empire to Commonwealth without rubbishing the history of the nation of which she was Queen. There were some terrible legacies of violence against colonial people - think of the Amritsar massacre in India in 1919, and the repression of the Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya 1952-60. The Suez mis-adventure against President Nasser's nationalisation of the Suez Canal in 1956 was thankfully aborted.