WORLD EVENTS SINCE GREAT WAR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 118, 12 February 1940, Page 3

WORLD EVENTS SINCE GREAT WAR

Sermon By Dr. Inkster MENACE OF PAGAN PROPAGANDA The second of a series of sermons on world events and conditions was preached by Dr. J. G. Inkster in St. John’s Church, Willis Street, last •night. The subject of the sermon was “The 1029 Crash and the Great decline.” “The outlook at the dawn of the twentieth century was hopeful; seemingly progress could be seen everywhere,” said Dr. Inkster. "But, beneath the surface international suspicion and hate smouldered. Evidence of this soon became apparent in political, social, moral and religious chaos. The great nations began to arm. tiermany claimed the right of- aggression by force. As Haldane said, only a spark was needed to start a world war. “In 1914 that spnry fell and the socalled Christian nations started to fight. Treaties and rules of warfare were treated as ‘scraps of paper. Bankrupt World. That world war ended in 1918 and left the world bankrupt. Unemployment, poverty, distress and disaster were universal. "And yet the optimists and evolutionists said': ‘These events and conditions are simply periodic cycles in the history of the world's progress; they are historical reeurreucies.’ But President Butler, of Columbia University, New York, said: ‘At this moment the world is bankrupt, and it lacks both the intelligence and courage to face the fact and put itself in the hands of the re<*ol ver/ “Attempts were made to save the world, but the crash came in 1929. Russia preached peace but began to arm and prepare for world revolution by force. Hindenburg and Hitler organized Nazism, which came to mean brutal paganism. Europe soon was filled Wita unrest, and fear; conditions became hopeless. The plague soon developed into propaganda and spread to Britain and the United States of America, ibe wisest men became pessimistic; ol hatreds ami suspicions took bold ot the nations. They began to arm again. Men, money and machines were massed for war.

Russian Propaganda. . "Soviet. Russia still sought world revolution. To this end-she sent her agents and money to the United Stales of America. Her hypocritical reason was that tor trade and diplomatic purposes she wanted iiiteruational ‘recognition’.- In 1930 she spent £lOO,OOO in American. cities to gain her end. bbe hud paid and voluntary agents working —organizing and teaching, namely, Triends of Soviet Russia Society. American ‘Civil Liberty League, and ‘Young Communist League-’ Prolessors, teachers aud preachers became her agents, all working for revolution and atheism. “One of the most subtle forms of piopaganda was carried on by the ‘Young Communist League,’ changed to the •Youth Movement..’ This organization included thousands of Roman Catholics aud Protestants. Its ultimate object was ‘recognition' of Russia aud revolution. Ultimate Anu. "In varied forms this organization is allied and working with Hie Communists. It is in New Zealand today, as I see by the daily papers, aud by the Communist organ. It is definitely s'lated that the purpose of this propaganda is ultimately to overthrow al! other governments and capitalism, to .ruin the Church and the home, aud to destroy faith iu God, in the Bibig, and in religion. The result of all this pagan propaganda is this terrible world war. which is threatening the existence of our Empire and our Christian civilization. Everything which we hold dear — the heritage which our forefathers purchased with their life's blood, aud our owu lives, are at stake. "It is the simple duty of every citizen of the Empire to oppose and to tight this subtle and devilish thing. Every man and woman, every boy and girl, who believes in God the I’uther, in God the Son, and in God the Holy Ghost, must enlist not only to defend our Empire, but to preserve the Bible aud faith in Jesus Christ.”