RELIGION AND EMPIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 307, 28 December 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

RELIGION AND EMPIRE.

Preaching on behalf of the Colonial Missionary Society at Norwich, Dr. J. D. Jones, C.H., M.A. said the British Empire was no dream, but an impressive fact. It was a mighty and colossal achievement. Three things might be truly said of the British Empire:-— " (a) It has been the consistent defender and upholder of personal freedom. It carries freedom with it wherever it goes. It has waged a relentless war against slavery of every kind. In so far as the Empire consists of lands where people dwell who have been trained in the British tradition —it is. not so much an Empire as a willing confederation of free peoples. When backward peoples have been committed to the Empire's charge, it gives them personal liberty and then seeks to educate and train them so that they may become fit for political freedom as well, (b) In the second place, Empire stands for justice and fair play. Wherever British government obtains, rigid even-handed justice becomes the rule. 'British justice' is as much a proverb as Roman law. (c) And the Empire stands for peace. Yes, in spite of the Great War I will say that Britain stands for peace. I am not going to say that no guilt at all attaches to us for that awful tragedy. All the nations, because of the policies they followed, were in their measure guilty. But even in 1914 Britain strove desperately and to the last moment for peace. And events have happened within the last few weeks and months which —to the immense satisfaction and thankfulness of all classes, 9f our people —have placed Britain in the van of the great movement for the creation of a peaceful and co-operant world. It is for these things we are proud of Britain. It is for these things we liumbly thank God for Britain. And if we pray for the continuance of our Empire, it is because we believe that it makes for freedom, justice and peace throughout the world."

Dr. Jones referred to the danger lurk'ing even in patriotism. There was a false patriotism that had involved the world again and again in wars, and at the present time was the greatest danger to the world's peace. Sir George Adam Smith had said: "The truest patriot is he who has the keenest conscience for his nation's sins." Dr. Jones said that in thp name of Imperialism "men had indulged in foolish and futile flag waving, had flung defiance at foreign nations, and boasted of the vast resources of the Empire." Referring to the future, Dr. Jones said; "1 think of it as an Empire held together by bonds of mutual love and service; an Empire of willing freemen; an Empire in which men of different races and colours and cultures recognise each other frankly as brothers; an Empire which in its attitude towards other nations has divested itself of every shred of aggressiveness and arrogance; an Empire which does not put its trust in 'reeking tube and iron shard,' but in reason and goodwill; a Empire at peace within itself and a bulwark of peace throughout the world. What England needs most is religion. What we need, to abolish bitterness and strife and to create happier relationships between man and man, is not changed economic conditions only, but a change of spirit, new hearts. And it is only the Lord Jesus Who can give us clean hearts arid right spirits. We are not going the right way to secure 'Merrie England' by turning our backs from God."