RELIGIOUS OBJECTORS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15768, 8 December 1916, Page 11

RELIGIOUS OBJECTORS.

TO THE EDITOR OT "THE FRESS."

Sir, —In reference t-o the atiove subject, I wish to say" that according to my reading of the Life of Christ, I am confirmed in my Belief that Christ was not a "religions objector," nor did He attempt to shirk His responsibility as a subject of Empire. He did not utter one word against the world's form of government, but recognised its Kings and decrees. He did not condemn the world except its ein. He even prayed that His followers should not be taken out of its environment. The New Testament exhorts all to loyalty to King, Empire, 'Magistrates, and those j holding superior and for a few I misled people to. set themselves in apparent rebellion against our essential laws of Empire, is, to say the least, displeasing to the. King of Kings. Christians are expected to show the spirit of humility before rulers, and set an example in demeanour of life and lawfulness to all mankind. The laws of country are an opportunity to live out Christian qualities and graces. Christ exhorts to acts of charity, and surely the sorrows, sufferings, and sacrifices of the present war are enough to break manly hearts, and it is mconceivable that 3- Christian of military age can prove so disloyal to King aud country and possess a soul so dead as to absolutely refuse to render any service for those who call for aid. How could our brave boys at the front have received spiritual ministrations if chaplains and laymen ,of all creeds had refused to go forward or place themselves under military control? There are numerous ways of rendering efficient Service under military authority ( in the camps upon the vast battlefields. The Christ of God, who condemned not State nor statesmen, who did not object to the world's government, and was obedient to the dictates of Empire, calls on His followers to imitate His example and help the suffering and dying at least bv non-combatant efforts, not by word and thought only, but by noble needs that will display the highest types of manhood alonj* the pathway of sacrifice for another's gosd.—Yours, Ct<s " H. W. FIFE. Fendalton.