WORLD PEACE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1936, Page 9

WORLD PEACE

APPEAL IN THE CHURCHES

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, January 11.

A letter on "The Way of Peace" from , the Archbishops of Canterbury and York was read in churches throughout Great Britain last Sunday. "Moved by the situation of the world. at the present time," it stated, "the leaders of the various Christian Communions throughout Europe have agreed to send forth to their own' „ people in their own terms during the present week a solemn appeal in the interests of peaces rto Christian conscience and loyalty. "In writing, this letter and asking that it should be read in churches, we, ithe Archbishops' of the Church of Eng-. Qand, with the approval of our brother Bishops, are taking part in this international endeavour'to !build the peace of the world on a true and lasting foundation. .■>, ~ ... . „ . ; ' "No thoughtful man - can view the present situation without grave anxiety. ■ ....... : "It has been' niade 1 plain that international treaties, pacts, and covenant* are not in themselves enough to ensure the peace which the world needs. It is plain:that".past:experience is nob enough. . ; < ;::.:. . "It is plain that the natural instincts of men are hot enough. For these instincts will still cling to old and deeprooted suspicions, and jealousies. They, are too easily stirred by the excitements of self-regarding patriotism. '■It is plain, also that, what we call civilisation is-'not enough. For the very science on which it relies is forging the weapons of war, which, if they be let loose, may accomplish its own destruction. ".Must it not, then, be equally plain that if these natural influences are not enough, it is only a superior Power which can ensure peace—in a word, the incoming of the Kingdom of God. God's rule of righteousness, truth, honour, justice; ./brotherhood among men. "Christians at. least must need to believe that this is true. "With whatever authority belongs to our office, we solemnly call upon all members of the Church to give a new and loyal obedience to the Lord's commands, and in seeking peace to 'Seek first the Kingdom of God and His irighteousness.'" ■;..,., ,