THE ONLOOKER'S CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 238, 8 October 1935, Page 14

THE ONLOOKER'S CASE.

CHURCH PACIFISTS,

All Presbyterians, together with members of other bodies, will welcome the assurance given by the Rev. Dr Dickie that the Presbyterian Church does not hold with the present propaganda for encouraging pacific opposition to the call of the rulers of the country to go to war should such be necessary for the defence of the Empire, our homes and our loved ones. That these propagandists, mostly young men, should be led to take up such an attitude is largely, however, the result of those in responsible positions in our churches failing to recognise that the governing' of a country is not the work of the church, though, of course, the reflex action of the church will determine—in a demo- j cracy—the general view of the members on political questions. We were wont to say, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world"; so the teaching that sways the beliefs of the people through the Press or pulpit determines in great measure their attitude on any moral question—and what question when boiled down does not resolve itself into a moral one? This brings us to the point where the New Zealand Presbyterian attitude towards the League of Xations calls for review. The Rev. Dr. Dickie would throw the onus of Presbyterian defence against the charge of "pacifism" upon the Rev. Dr. Gibl). Now Dr. Gibb about 20 years ago had the tacit approval and sanction of his church to carry 011 a League of Xations propaganda in the Presbyterian churches of New Zealand. At about that time the writer was, on going out of church one Sunday morning, handed an enrolment leaflet to sign and return so as to qualify for local League membership (this, by the way, was torn in two and handed back to tiie church officer). Now that the Rev. Dr. Gibb. by attaching his signature to the manifesto to which the Hon. A. D. McLeod as a Presbyterian takes such strong exception, he —Dr. Gibb —but implements the teaching which has been allowed to go forth almost unchallenged from our various Presbyterian organisations. It seems, therefore, rather unreasonable now that the fruits of wrong teaching with regard to the relative and separate antics of church and State are beginning to appear, that the onus from which the Rev. Dr. Dickie seeks to shelter Prcsbyterianism should be thrown entirely upon the shoulders of the Rev. Dr. Gibb. "Fear God, honour the King" is the Scriptural injunction and recognition that "the powers that be are ordained of God" must he acknowledged and submitted to if one would like a quiet and peaceful life. This is the belief of the historic Presbyterian Church. I am not goin? to he drawn into controversy as to whether on any grounds it may ever be lawful to withstand the State: the history of Presbvterianism answers that question. PRESBYTERIAN ELDER.