CONSCIENCE AND SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2824, 15 July 1916, Page 10

CONSCIENCE AND SERVICE

Sir,—Grant me a little of your spnee in this matter, for I hear "the rustling in the mulberry leaves." Your correspondent, J. K. Archer, has written a nice letter, and I thank him for pointing out that "conscience is worth more to the world than the wiuriing of this war," and "who honours conscience, whether Christian or atheist, honours God." We 'saw what ecclesiastical bigotry would attempt in the amendment to tlm Bill lately before the Upper House, ill proposing "rights of conscience" to members of recognised religious bodies (whose tenets prescribe a certain readymade conscience) thus excluding any who dare to have a conscience of their own. "A free conscience," "free speech," and the dictum .behind the British volunteer system—"if the princes quarrel let the princes fight," is the foundation of onr Britisli liberty, for which to-day co many arc dying, and for which our forefathers struggled. Let us not assume the attitude of driving any to a needless martyrdom, Since force or ridicule are alike futile here. Rather let us be generous than panicky. AVe may catch glimpses here ahd there of the foul head of tyhuiny ahiong us, and it should be watched; but while straining at a gnat let us not swallow a camel, for a greater danger far is at our gates. Then who will not fly to the breach because a conscience forbids the use of the sword,, will see that the same conscience requiries then to "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's."and give literally to the State their worldly possessions. and enter upon voluntary poverty. They who have "taken thought of the morrow" (under Caesar's aegis) must be ready to defend their hoard or give it up (not to mention the defence of other things). .Tesus said: "Lay not up," etc. The obligation does not end here, however. If any disclaim responsibility for this- war, then the more need for them to hasten to alleviate its consequences. To those whose conscience is quite born, this call will be urgent.. "T was naked and ye clothed me, sick and ye visited me." They will join the noble band of priest and private, that answer that cry for help, where thoughtless and thoughtful together stricken need a brother's keeping. Better to meet death if nr-ed be to-day in this high service, than perish to-morrow in .simulated peace resting upon the sacrifice of others. Further, the Prince of Peace said:' "Think not that I came to bring peace on earth. I came not to bring peace, but a sword!" There is here a deep truth to be discovered—inherent in the nature and relation of things, essential to the world as it is and for its progress. None can avoid partaking of the conflict. In the balance of good and evil we stand astride the bsain. Rise to the occasion and suffer for what seems best and highest. We but reap as wG have sown (through the ages) and have ouch a responsibility for the future. Wc must settle with ourselves about it'; remember that conscience is a sane tiling, and service noble: nuiv wc over preserve them—"free!"

In conclusion,.let me repeat what has said: "This is a war against war. AVav kan atrocity, war is sin; but man was never sccuro from it; let us pletlfio now that we to-<lny will try iiiul make the world more sccure in future by serving without malice, wiihout hat'?, but to our utmost and unflinchniK ly tho highest ideal of human liberty and justice lor and in fthich our Empire stands second In none.—l tin, etc., EVELYN MACDO.NALD. To Horo, July 13, 1916.