MILITARY PAGEANTS AND THE CLERGY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18926, 15 February 1927, Page 11

MILITARY PAGEANTS AND THE CLERGY.

TO TBE EDITOR Of THE PRESS. Sir, —Just a few lines on thi3 subject in reply to my friend Mr Percy Cogger. It is the activity of tbe clergy of Cbristcliurch 1 wish to arouse, not, as suggested by Sir Cogger, their anger. That 'Mvorso form of militarism ever known" Mr Cogger has mentioned, could never liaye existed had the clergy of Germany preached against military pageants and all forms of militarism; Sitis of omission are sometimes worse than sins of commission, and if the Jutikers in our midst (and, believe me, they; exist) are allowed to play on the plastic minds of ofir childfon as'their fcini in Germany were allowed to play oh the ehilil-mnul there, their will the clergy have failed 111 their Christianity. They could, iMliey would, do so much 'more" fhan 'tinv "of us, to spread "the" true Christ ideal •of Brotherhood , as opposed to the militaristic ideal. of hatred and slaughter of one's fellows. For what does each exist;itr the'\rorld if not for these.two purposes? If. we are aping to build up the militaristic spirit here in preference to that of brdtberhood • let lis cease to call ourselves Christians. The Lord loves not a hypocrit.—Yours, etc., H.T/W.