NECESSITY FOR NEW NATIONAL SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 10

NECESSITY FOR NEW NATIONAL SPIRIT

Christianity and War PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH REPORT Much attention to the question of Christianity and War is devoted in the report of the Public Questions Committee to be presented to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand which meets in Dunedin next week. “In view of the activities of RearAdmiral Burges-Watson in addressing secondary schools in Nelson and Wellington in such a way as might awaken international fear and suspicion,” the report states, “the committee addressed a protest to the Minister of Defence. No further similar addresses have been given, and recently new regulations covering such matters have been issued. “In April, 1934, presbyteries’ public questions committees were asked by the assembly’s committee to, consider the question of Christianity 'and war and ascertain the minds of their presbyteries. Replies received indicate that the Church is thinking more deeply about this-vital question than in the past, and making a more careful study of facts and literature. They reveal a general harmony and show that the Church’s thought is in process of change in a definite direction. Most of them stress* particularly the importance of upholding the League of Nations that it may become the final arbiter in international differences and so remove injustices which threaten the peace of the world.” Troubled State of World. The committee puts forward the following statement for the assembly’s acceptance, with the suggestion that assembly instruct that it be read by authority from all pulpits:— “The General Assembly, viewing with grave concern the troubled state of the world and the many apparent threats to international peace, calls on all faithful members to consider the questions which such times raise for Christian people. The Christian Church can proclaim no lesser standard of national and international action than that righteousness and justice which is in accordance with the Divine will, but the means of securing these ends change with the years. “The Church realising that she is committed to a message of reconciliation for the nations, and the changed character of our. age and of modern warfare has at last made it deal - that war is a hindrance to that message and is no longer able to further those principles of righteousness and justice which it was once believed to serve.

“Many factors are leading the Church to this conviction. The League of Nations has now exposed the activities of international armament firms in thwarting efforts for peace and in positively fomenting war. While-war may appeal to our noblest sentiments, we are coming to know’ that it is a futile and sinful manner of dealing with any situation. At its roots are fear and suspicion, injustice and selfishness, and these are intensified the more armaments are made to increase. Blinded by National Prejudices. “We are so blinded by national prejudices that while we are easily persuaded that when we rearm it is to maintain peace, we are persuaded with equal ease that other nations rearm only for war. Our eyes are being opened to the fact that lying propaganda is one of the major incitements to war, as it is also one of its main weapons. Most important of all, we are coming to realise that economic factors underlie many of the more obvious causes of war. “Difficult though it is to analyse the causes of this disease which threatens our civilisation, it is still more difficult to prescribe a treatment; yet the Church must acknowledge her responsibility to the Prince of Peace and she enjoins- upon her people that it is a Christian duty to promote peace. “The threat of multiplied reprisals will not maintain peace in a warminded world; neither will denunciation and the threat of non-participation in future wars prove sufficient. The avoidance of conflict is possible only when men deeply, believe they are members one of another, and are positively and constructively committed to a common task. “This means that the Church must lead the community to forsake the old type of self-seeking nationalism and to build a new and generous spirited nationalism proud to take a place of service in the family of nations. This duty can be done, only by ft Church which, in surrender to God’s will, has received His spirit and come to share His love- z Confession of National Pride. “The General Assembly, therefore, calls the Church to humble itself before God, with confession of national pride, selfishness, and blindness to His will; and with the prayer that His way may be made plain to us that we may walk in it. And, finally, even In the midst of the confusion and chaos of our times, It bids the worshippers of an ascended and exalted Saviour lift up their hearts unto the Lord. We cannot solve the deepest problems of our age in our own, strength and wisdom. Only the grace of God is adequate for such a task. “If the difficulty of our situation has made us aware of nothing more than this last truth alone it is a great gain. May w’e have grace to find through our human weakness the greatness of God’s power and wisdom, and so yield ourselves to be used as His instruments for the making of peace.”