MORAL RE-ARMAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 31, 5 August 1941, Page 9

MORAL RE-ARMAMENT

THE CITY'S CALL

FOLLOWING MR. CHURCHILL

Aspects of strengthening moral rearmament were discussed by the City Council last night, and it was decided to circulate a resolution drawn up by the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) and Councillor M. Fraser, which amplified, in dignified language, they following points:—

What extra service could the citizen give his country each day? National morale was built up from the countless moral victories of every loyal citizen,. thus the home front could be strengthened by the moral and spiritual front of individual lives. Character was the strongest line of defence in the nation; material and physical defences availed nothing unless a people strong in spirit stood behind them.

"A country rich in faith is rich in everything," proceeded the appeal* "Restore faith and you build strength. Develop character and you build greatness. Faith, confidence, and chserfulness are as contagious as fear, depression, and grumbling. Which are you spreading?" The key to steadiness and inner strength, it was stressed, was to have | confidence in, and direction from, God. Each citizen could listen for himself to the voice of the Spirit, which was the voice of God, and obey. The call of today was to return tc the God of our fathers, to their robust faith in His power and guidance; cling to the childhood belief that whatever happens on this earth will be weighed in the scales of Eternal Justice.

Though prepared as mentioned above the circular had been seen by councillors with the exception of Councillor E. M. Gilmer.

Councillor Duncan: I would not put my name to it, because I could, not act up to it myself. People who know me would ask why i am taking part in putting out such a message.

Councillor Fraser said that he felt the same hesitation, but he had found himself faced, as a representative of the citizens, with the responsibility to show a certain amount of lead when the occasion arose. Councillor Duncan was also a councillor.

Councillor Duncan: But not to teach them religion. Councillor Fraser: No, but to teach them in the way they should go.

Councillor Gilmer: It does seem as though we were going to preach to the citizens.

The Mayor: We are going to do it whether we should or not Many have done it, Mr Churchill amongst them. Councillor M. F. Luckie: This discussion is not doing any good. It was decided to circularise the resolution to citizens.