A Christian Statesman

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 68, 13 December 1933, Page 11

A Christian Statesman

Sir, —May I quote a few words of Mr. George Lansbury, in support of your editorial tribute to his sterling qualities in “The Dominion” to-day, December 11? “The Dominion,” on May 6 this year, in its overseas news columns, said this: “The benevolent and white-haired Leader of the Opposition in Parliament is ‘Dear Old George’ to men of all political faiths ... hence there is universal sympathy with him in the loss of his wife. . . . Mr. Lansbury paid this tribute to her afterward: ‘She was always my sweetheart, my friend, and comrade in all my doings. We had enjoyed a real union of hearts and lives for more than 50 years. lam not left alone, for she will be always with me in thought and spirit, but in my home I shall miss her welcome, her loyalty, and love.’ ” Mr. Lansbury .is a man of a calibre rarely met with in Parliament, though Britons of his Christian type are the backbone of the British Empire and the United States of America. His words in the London “Daily Herald,” as quoted by the “Christian Science Sentinel,” Boston, U.S.A, February 18, 1933, were timely a year ago, and are more than timely to-day:— “Mankind is at the parting of the ways. Learned men tell us that in the midst of plenty and with abundant power to increase the supply of everything we need, it is an iron, immovable, economic law that masses of God’s children should suffer penury and want. This is a simple, stupid lie, and I want organised Christendom to denounce it as such. “Mankind, as in days long ago, is looking for a lead. Once it was said to the Master, “To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.’ His words, ‘Love thy neighbour as thyself,* ring true to-day. They are indeed words of eternal life, for when we love each other we shall with one accord transform the Frankenstein monster < called the money-market into an organisation for the service of all. “My Christian friends, you cannot escape responsibility. You must wake np and choose which side you are on. Neither you nor I can- serve God and mammon. You will not, lam sure, want to follow Pilate and try to sneak out of your present responsibility, or, like Peter, deny your Master. Believe me, you and your religion are on trial. ‘Choose you this day whom ye will serve.’” —I am, etc., BERNARD THOMPSON. Wellington, December 11, 1933.