LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Methodist Bible Class Motions

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 85, 4 January 1940, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Methodist Bible Class Motions

Sir. —The •’pacifist attitude of the .Methodist Y.M. Bible Class .Movement recently expressed at its annual convent iou leads me, an ex-president of one of its district unions, to make one or two comments. 1 do so with the knowledge that many B.C. members, past and present who are in camp, will shortly be leaving with the Expeditionary Force, and will not be likely to express their views in any way other than by the practical method shown by their enlistment. Before they leave it would be well for them to be informed that their own church and sister churches do not subscribe to the extreme views expressed in pacifist resolutions. Persistent attempts made to gain the support of the ruling courts of the churches for a pacifist attitude have iiot proved convincing, and the members of the Expeditionary Force can be assured of lite admiration and appreciation of the Church as a whole. This is putting the ease mildly. Tito whole struggle for international righteousness is so clearly delined in ibis instance that, the response to the present call of the Empire is rightly interpreted in the view of the great majoriy of Cliristian thinkers as response to the call of duty, and therefore is of Cod. That this is so needs to be said to the young men now in lamp, tire B.C. members among which would hardly be in attendance at the recent B.C. convention, and so would not participate in discussion or voting. The unequivocal opposition to enlistment even for non-combatant service tinder military control shown by the B.C convent ion can be uderstood as expressed in till sincerity, but the claim that such opposition manifests the spirit and teaching of Jesus Christ is quite out of harmony with the views of the leaders of the churches, ar.d the assumptions made l \ the B.C. convention in this respect >avonr of hasty interpretation and misunderstanding of the mind of Christ. Sincerity may be admitted gladly, but not sound judgment. The King’s broadcast message on Christmas Bay: "I believe from my heart that the cause which binds my people. and our gallant and faithful Allies, is the cause of Christian civilization. On no other basis can true civilization be built,” will be more widely echoed in the heart of young Christian manhood than any resolution to refuse service in such a cause. —I am, etc.. E. O. BLAMIKES. •Seatoun. January 3, 1940.