EVANGELISTS AND WAR

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 28, 1 February 1917, Page 6

EVANGELISTS AND WAR

THE FORMER OPPOSE IT.

"IF WE WERE ALL OF YOUR

BELIEF."

An appeal was made before the Third Wellington Military Service Board yesterday on behalf of Frederick Peter Clews, described as an evangelist, the grounds being religious and' public interest, i

Wilson M'Clung, head evangelist of a. body know as The Testimony of Jesus Christ, gave an outline of the history of the body. He said it was a voluntary organisation, existing in every English-speaking country, and tliere was nothing governing its doctrines and. tenets except their own interpretation of the Gospel. For the last four years the appellant, who ■ was a carpenter by trade, had devoted himself to the work of the organisation, which' had about 730 adherents throughout New_ Zealand. There were fourteen evangelists, who were supported by voluntary-gifts from those who receiyed spiritual comfort from them. They >were opposed to war, and considered their present work more important than Eed Cross or Army Service work.

Captain Baldwin : But would you object to perform that work if the board thought you should go?—lt is all part of the same machine.

But I want a straight answer.—Yes. You would object?—We would; it is opposed to the teachings of Jesus and his disciples. Mr. Considine : If all of us were of your belief, what would become of us?. The Germans would get us all. ■ Mr. M'Clung: We started our work before the Germans.

It was then ascertained that Clews was making a personal appeal before tho First Board, and further consideration was therefore adjourned.