A BROKEN PEOPLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 8, 11 January 1939, Page 8

A BROKEN PEOPLE

PLIGHT OF CZECHS

FAITH IN PROMISES SHAKEN

CHURCH STATEMENT

Some idea of the difficulties and perplexities facing the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren since the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia is contained in a statement which has been received by the Rev. Fred Greenwood, of Wellington, from the Council of the Synod of the Church and the John Hus Faculty of Theology, Prague. The statement, which was compiled in October, is as follows:

In the name of the^.. Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren we beg to lay before Christian churches abroad the following statement of our feelings in regard to the events of the past months and weeks:—

When half a year ago heavy clouds began to gather over our land, the Federation of the Evangelical Churches in the Czechoslovak Republic turned to the Christian churches of the world with an outcry for the defence of right and humanity, righteousness, and the liberty of small nations. At that time the land, of John Hus and John Arhos Comenius reminded the world of the danger that threatened her. We received many replies of deep sympathy and friendship. Since those days tremendous changes for our State and nation became realities and historical facts. We are stricken with hard blows such as hardly any European nation has suffered. Four world Powers decided arbitrarily about our frontiers as well as about the inner structure of our nation. With the humiliating pressure of an ultimatum, at the time when our Government was ready to come to an understanding of conciliation and good will with our neighbours, and at the moment when our people were ready to defend their liberties fearlessly against violence, they forced us to capitulate. Our people were compelled to accept such losses of territory that their existence in the remaining area was endangered and condemned to a mere' vegetation. All this was done with the avowjed purpose of safeguarding European peace.

MAIN REASON FOR ATTACK.

For a long time our nation tried to convince the world that the , main reason ior the attack on Czechoslovakia was not the question of minorities, but the endeavour to control our State and to become the master of Central Europe. We do not intend to persuade our foreign friends that faults and mistakes were not made by our people. The present tragedy leads us to a humble revision of our work in }he last twenty years in order to correct what was not done right. But we dare state that our best statesmen and teachers tried to build up our State upon the noble ideals of humanity, righteousness, and liberty. Our State wanted to safeguard even for the Germans, Jews, and others within its borders the independence of responsible citizens. We attempted to subordinate politics to the highest principles of Christian civilisation. We put reason, conscience, /and right over might. We tried to embody into the laws of the Republic the care for the poor and weak. Our constitution Guaranteed to the minorities the right to draw freely from the deepest resources of their national and religious traditions. We longed to realise a State order in which each individual could have the right to fulfil his human' destiny. We believed that the State built upon these principles would guarantee also to the German citizens their political and civil rights more easily than the German totalitarian State. Even if it was not always possible to satisfy all claims of the minorities —may the blame fall wherever it will —nevertheless, our statesmen always promoted good will in regard to all complaints and endeavoured to create conditions for the full satisfaction of 'all citizens. Led by T. G. Masaryk, whom even the foreign countries deemed worthy to become the president of a United States of Europe for his personal qualities, and after him, by Edward Benes, whose work for the post-war reorganisation of Europe was generally acknowledged, the Czechoslovak State moved step by step towards the ideals of a free, democratic State. It was our first President who reminded us with his motto, "Jesus, not Caesar," that "righteousness' exalteth a nation* but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34.) , . When racial nationalism and imperialism tried to enforce the reorganisation of Europe without meeting an effective opposition, our country would have also contributed with her sacrifices to the general peace and conciliation of nations. Our President up to the last moment offered the hand of agreement and understanding. It was of course expected that a revision would be made by general agreement in an international conference in the spirit of righteousness with solidarity and loyalty to one another. But just at the tme when Czechoslovakia was doing everything tp solve the minority question in the spirit of righteousness, our statesmen became the object of- an organised propaganda unheard of in the history of international relations.

PEACE WHEN THERE WAS NO

PEACE

From all sidies came the cry of "Peace, peace," but none of the official representatives of the world Powers proclaimed that peace without justice and freedom for the small nations and for the weaker man was no just and lasting peace. "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace." Jer. 6:14.) We were almost sure—as far as man can judge— that a decisive word of firm resolutness from Western Europe to stay any attack would have saved the freedom of small nations without war. The process of our humiliation and mutilation is over. Today not only German territory is being occupied by German soldiers, but also that territory where from times immemorial have dwelt those who have spoken the Czech tongue. One of the oldest boundaries of Europe, if not the oldest, which has for a thousand years served as a barrier against invaders, has been ruthlessly torn down. And who can fathom the depth of the wounds that have wounded our souls? The loss of territory, though very grievous, is nothing compared with the terrible wounds inflicted on our people, and on our faith in the power of truth and of good will in the world. Thfe faith in covenants and treaties, in pledged words, and solemn promises was shaken.

"TALE IN TERRIBLE LETTERS."

It is of this that we wish to remind the churches, and individual Christians, whose conscience has not been deadened. Never has the abyss between the ideals of Christianity and national politics been so deep and wide as during these days. We beg

them to realise the far-reaching effects of the terrible international catastrophe, both political and spiritual, the ' tale of which will be written in history in terrible letters.

What will be the effects of it all? Thousands of Czechoslovak citizens will be deprived of their existence. They left all in the home that now belongs to a strange land, and are fleeing into a crippled and povertystricken country. Governments decided the transfer, but they left our helpless people to their fate, privation, and sometimes even death. No one knows into what depths, economically and morally, our nation has been thrown, so terribly disappointed and humbled. Our country was ' betrayed into the hands of its mighty neighbour, and in its innermost being feels that those who thus decided were using methods which are leading to a victory of violence and selfishness.

Religious work in Czechoslovakia, which was our joy and pride since the beginning of the free State, has been deeply shaken. The Czech Brethren Church is losing a large number of its congregations, some of which have existed since 1781. Mission work will be curtailed. We are afraid that, morally crippled, our people will be weak before the onslaughts of antiSemitism, of vulgar nationalism, and of the belief in a violent reaction.

Even though our words sound bitter, we speak to you without anger, as unto brothers in faith and love. We humble ourselves' before God in such times of trial and fire, and pray and plead for help to stand fast in the faith. We commend unto His keeping both ourselves and the Czechoslovak nation, and will not cease believing that God the Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will in the end bring righteousness, justice, and truth to victory. "The Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen and faithful." XRev. 17, 14.) In Him we' have forgiveness of our sins. He will be the final judge of the world. Unto Him be glory and honour for ever!