A Noteworthy Deliverance

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 264, 5 August 1939, Page 1 (Supplement)

A Noteworthy Deliverance

THE following Deliverance to the recent. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland was approved by a large majority of those present :— "The General Assembly give thanks to Almighty God that the world has so far been spared Hie cataclysm of universal war. 'they appreciate the necessity for Hie present measures of defence in a world threatened by force and by the imposing of unilateral decisions; anil they recognize the crucial importance of Hie creation of a non-aggressive front among those nations which value and seek peace. “The General Assembly record their gratitude Io God lor the poiierliil and spontaneous intervention of (lie President of the I lifted States last April, and for the notable contributions of the. Prime Minister and oilier British statesmen Io the safeguarding of peace. “Nevertheless, the General Assembly ciiiinot view the present situation without concern, bearing in mind the overwhelming and increasing armaments of Hie nations, the unresolved •differences thill separate them. the still outstanding questions which might lead to war. and the necessity lor true pence to be based on justice. • “The General Assembly are convinced that Hie method of rearmament cannot preserve the nations from war or bring .them into Hie tidiness ol peace. and pray that ways may be found .whereby mi lions, in large groups

or small, niny be willing to confer on the issues which divide them. To this end the General Assembly ask His Majesty's Government to give a commanding lead by indicating clearly the nature of the contribution which they tire prepared to make for the removal of possible causes of war and for the establishing of peace. "Further, Hie General Assembly, acknowledging that for . the present stale of affairs none of the chief nations is without blame, that, the days in which we live carry in them Hie judgments of God on human sin and folly, and that Christians are being called thereby to humble ix'iiitence, recommend that increased opportunilies of prayer be provided in the Churches of the laud through the week, and earnestly urge Hie members of the Church lo be faithful in their devotions, laying the needs of the world before theii heavenly Father, and conforming in their lives to the ways and purposes nt’ God Who wills peace for His children. "The General Assembly, while recognizing the World Alliance for international Friendship as the means of educating the congregations of Hie Church in matters of peace and war. authorize the Church and Nation Committee to report on peace, disarmament and war to the General Assembly as formerly, to continue its studies of and investigations into these questions as they may arise, and lo indicate to the General Assembly bow best in the Committee’s view the Church may prosecute the tasks therein involved."