"PATHWAYS TO PEACE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19098, 17 August 1925, Page 11

"PATHWAYS TO PEACE."

NOTABLE CHURCH SERVICES. FLEET CHAPLAINS' SERMONS. STIRRING APPEAL FOR AMITY. A special welcome was extended to officers and men of tho American Fleet by churches of all denominations yesterday, and in a number of cases chaplains from tho fleot conducted the servicos. The preacher at Pitt Street Methodist Church last evening was Chaplain (Lieu-tenant-Commander) M. M. Witherspoon, of tho U.S.S. Colorado, whose sermon on "Pathways to Peace" was arresting in its clear thought, broad outlook, and earnest vigour. "Bo strong, and let your hearts tako courage" was the text. Nono of tho declared aims of the Allies' defensive fight in tho Great War had, in the preacher's view, been realised; instead of tho world being made safe for democracy, Europo was still largely under tho thumb of autocracies; individual righteousness and happiness were wanting; lasting peace was so far unattained that smouldering international hatreds might produce another hell in Europo. The need for navies continued; they were serviceable in averting, not in inciting, an outbreak. Tho causes of war wero not navies, but race prcjudico, old-world diplomacy and lust for commercial dominance. Eliminate these, and then navies might be scrapped. Civilisation's slow progress to higher values and better adjustments in life could bo mado surely by (1) an education that included tho better understanding of other peoples; (2) an unselfish spirit of service: (3) a strong faith in tho future; and (4) a single, undifferentiated standard of conduct, ui all walks of life, toward others, irrespective of station or nationality—tho pathway mado plain and imperative by Jesus Christ. Chaplain Withorspoon spoke at Knox Presbyterian Church, Parnell, in the morning. War Associations Recalled. Enthusiastic references were made by Commander R. D. Workman, chaplain of tho Maryland, at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in tho evening, to .the great welcome given by tho British sailors to tho American Fleet as it steamed into Scapa Flow. Commander Workman served on'one of tho American vessels Which worked in conjunction with tho British Fleet during the war. He said that criticisms wero often heard of America's slowness in joining tho Allies, but full weight was not generally given to America's difficulties caused by the cosmopolitan nature of her population. He spoke of the royal welcome the American Fleet bad received in New Zealand, and said ho felt sure the visit would strengthen the bonds between the British and American peoples. Commander Workman also gave an address at the morning service at tit. Paul's' Presbyterian Church, Devonport. A united rally of the Congregational churches of the city and suburbs was held in the Town Hall and a large number of sailors accepted the invitation to be prosent. Many of those who attended tho morning service were entertained by members of the various congregations during the afternoon. The Rev. Stanley Morrisson preached at the morning service and the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher in the evening. The singing was led by a choir of 150 voices and solos were given by several popular singers. International Problems. At St. James' Presbyterian Church last evening Chaplain Lieut. H. G. Glunt took as his subject, "Tho Greatest Opportunity of tho Ages." Tho church had at tho present time, he said, a great opportunity to try out tho spirit of Christ- as- a solution not only of individual, church, and national problems, but also of international difficulties. International an<|, racial problems of to-day made this a most opportune time for the experiment. The result could easily bo imagined if China were to overwhelm Western civilisation, and ignore the teachings of Christ. The memories of the late war with toll of lives and legacy- of material burdens mado the present time still more opportune. If the chance wero not seized at this timo it would be lost. The text, "If a man havo not the spirit of Christ ho is nono of His," applied equally to churches and nations, The great problem of the Church in the future lay in tho international field. The task of the Church was to bind together the different races of the world in peace and understanding, so that all might be frco from tho fear of a future war.

At. the Baptist Tabernaclo men's meeting in the afternoon an address was g- ven by Lieut,. F. L. Albert, chaplain of the New Mexico. The preacher .at the evening service was Commander W. R. Hall, chaplain of the Idaho. Lieut. Albert also spoke at Dcvonport Methodist Church during the morning. Services were held by the Salvation Army in the National Theatre in the afternoon" and evening and a number of officers and" men from the fleet gave addresses. The Rev. A. P. Zedaker, of the Colorado. took the service at Mount Eden Presbyterian Church in the evening, and at St. Stephen's, Ponsonby, in the morning. At the Ponsonby Baptist Church, Chaplain Forsonder delivered a sermon at the evening service, and Chaplain F. H. Lusk, of tho Tennessee, spoke in the evening at the Dominion Road Church of Christ.