CHURCH & WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1939, Page 8

CHURCH & WAR

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY’S ATTITUDE. (Per Press Association—Copyright). CHRISTCHURCH, November 2C. . . “We recommend our people to respond with a loyal sense of civic responsibility to such calls for service as the authorities may make with due regard to their rights of the coa r science.” This passage was contained in the pronouncement of the Presbyterian ■Church .of New; Zealand’s attitude towards tlffr . war, adopted at .today’s session of the general assembly. “At this-grave juncture when the British Empire is at war, and the New Zealand Government has unhesitatingly ranged itself along with the United Kingdom, the Presbyterian Church reaffirms her loyalty to the Throne and recognises, on the basis of facts available, the justice of the cause for which our nation is fighting, after all efforts , towards a peaceful solution had failed,” was another passage in the lengthy .statement, “The assembly calls upon all its com gregations to remember that we are part of a un vcrsal fellowship whish on war can destroy—that it is for us to work to-day more earnestly for the healing of nations and the reconstruction of our world order, and that the power and peace of God are with all those, whose concern is to know and to do His will.” ' An amendment urging the assembly to condemn war as incompatible with the blind in spirit of Christ was rejected, and the resolution was carried without dissent.