A NEW DOCTRINE OF PATRIOTISM.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14983, 2 June 1914, Page 5

A NEW DOCTRINE OF PATRIOTISM.

TO THE EDITOR O. "_H_ .RXSS." Sir, —It is intensely 'amusing (though somewhat saddening) to note how quickly, and with what great skill, some Christian gentlemen can give an exhibition of mental gymnastics, whenever they think the oocasion demands it. Of course, any thoughtful person knows that war, and the memory of war, is something so said and so barbarous, u« to call for silence, and for shame. Even the most excitedly patriotic person would imagine that Christians with their Gospel of love and peace, would, on occasions when war was being discussed, keep themselves in the background and sorrowfully admit that apparently their Gospel was a most distressing failure. But unfortunately it is not so. and thus we find Christian gentlemen in company' with soldiers, speaking of war with ;i relish that sickens one. The Mayor, in the course of his short address on Sunday, in Victoria square, .said we had a duty to perform to God and to tho King. It'would be useless, no doubt, to point out to him that so very often one's duty to God demands that one refuse to do what is considered oi.e'.s duty to the King. For instance, those admittedly brave lellows who went to (South xlfrica, swore to obey, obey implicitly any and every order gireu. without using their own moral judgment. Now where did their duty towards God come iu.'r' The reverend gentleman (I do not know his name) spoke of loyalty to God and one's country, apparently forgetting that, were we truly loyal to God, we would perforce have to admit that we have no right to speak of ,; our country," but rather our duty lay in saying, with Thomas Paine, '-The world is my country; to do good i_ my religion."

Ono wonders hoiv long these ecclesiastical gupssej;s will continue to work upon tho emotions or "patriot-," "and one is forced to admit thnt, there was indeed a groat deal of truth in Mr R. Sample's,statement when he said that if humanity wanted io rise to a higher and a *ioblor plane, it would he necessary to first of .nil civilise thc parisons. It will indeed be a very happy day when the parsons be.-ome' Chii.s-inns.— Yours, etc., TRULY PERPLEXED.