LYTTELTON NEWS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23771, 17 October 1942, Page 2

LYTTELTON NEWS

PRISONERS OF JAPANESE

Two former residents of Lyttelton, Mr and Mrs George Loader, are reported to be prisoners of the Japanese in Hong Kong. Mr and Mrs Loader have lived in Hong Kong for several years, Mr Loader holding an appointment with an engineering firm. The Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. C. Webb) recently received a letter from Mrs Loader stating that she was in the Stanley Civilian Camp at Hong Kong and that she was fairly well. Her husband was in another camp. Yachting The committee of the Canterbury Yacht and Motor Boat Club has decided to open the seasdh on Labour Day. Although most of the members are serving in the forces, the committee hopes to be able to arrange a race each Saturday for young members.

Anniversary of New Zealand.—The province of Westland will celebrate the three hundredth anniversary of New Zealand on Boxing Day this year. The celebrations will be held at Okarito, where it is reported that Abel Tasman sighted land. A commitee was formed recently at Okarito to take charge of the celebrations. It has been suggested (hat if the Government is represented at the Okarito ceremony a banquet should be held at Franz Josef. Commissioned in Canada. —Mr and Mrs E. B. Henzel, of 77 Francis avenue, Christchurch, have received advice that their son, Leading Aircraftsman E. S. Henzel, has received a commission in Canada.

THE COPY SENT TO “CHURCH NEWS” FOB PUBLICATION AND REFUSED.

A REPLY FOR BRITISH ISRAEL:

Sir Church News in September allowed over five columns’ space against British' Israel. It will be a tribute to its fairness to allow equal space in answer to charges made against it. First: Is it fair argument for an opponent to say "The fact that so far as I can discover, no man of any intellectual attainment has lent it (BT.) the weight of his learning," when “The National Message” has frequently published lists of late British Israel Believers? I have before me a roll of honour published years ago containing over 500 names of deceased 8.1. Believers. Amongst them. over 130 clergy of these, two archbishops, six bishops, and 17 doctors of divinity. I suppose opponents will kindly concede that amongst those who can claim “Intellectual attainment,” we may include Queen Victoria. Edward VII, Professor Boyce Professor Piazzi Smyth, Dr. Aldersmith, five admirals, 13 generals and over 60 others holding high rank in Navy and Army, besides numerous other laity with strings of letters after their names. Of living members. Sir John Leech. M.A., LL.D., K.C., D. Davidson, M.C., M.l.Struct.E.. are others I know of. Besides the above ignorant statement. Dr Sheppard not only repeated the old lie. exploded more than 50 years ago, about the ten tribes not being lost, but he also made the puerile remark which always fills 81. believers with amusement. as showing uncontrolled wishful thinking, viz,: "that it does not matter two pins if we are descended from the lost ten tribes,” Then why on earth are opponents so desperately .anxious to disprove this descent? Because, to bishops, priests, and deacons (not so much the laity) stands revealed —though it may be unconsciously—their faithlessness to God and His Holy inspired word, concerning Hl.altributes of omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence. They do not believe God could foreknow and foretell this 8.1 plan through the pages of Scripture, and that he has been, and is now, present in Hie working out of this plan in the world; and that no matter how events seem to have developed to the contrary, there never has been, and never will be a time, when God cannot fulfil the words of Scripture Tie put into the mouths of His Prophets. In this connexion an English Church paper, “The Record." given to spiritualising theology, in writing against British Israel, uttered its hardest stricture thus: "They (B.I.) interpret • the Bible too literally." This tribute we regard as highest commendation, not condemnation; for we have always had the idea that a knowledge of etymology would be included in Almiphtiness, so that "When Holy men of God spake as (hey were moved by the Holy Ghost,’ when using the word "Israel," and “Na • tion,” they did not mean as spiritualises, assert "the Christian Church'." ReL. E. P. Erith's book—"British Israel Fallacy'.” Years ago, it was pointed out how "he takes detached statements, and articles or addresses, which are made by separate individuals, and assumes that by showing these to be right or wrong.- he is demonstrating the rightness or wrongness of the British Israel position. . . . What system of fact or truth in the realm of science, philology, or theology could evei be defended, or overthrown by such a method of attack, or what system of fact or truth is not open to such unjustified attacks?” British Israel believers are as anxious as any to sec "The Christian Order Campaign” succeed, but think 9!) out of every 100 feel that if it is to succerd. the fust essentials are:— (1) The conversion of the clergy to an unflinching faith in the Bible as God’s inspired word, with no reservations, except inaccuracy in translation. | (2) Re-dedication to their Ordination Vows, of studying the Scriptures.and instructing their (lock in the same. When they gel their people to read and take to heart God’s strong denunciation of sins, His exhortations to penitence, His promises, and pleadings in love; then, and then only, has the campaign the promise of great success. 3599 P.B.A.