REFUSAL TO SERVE
METHODIST YOUNG MEN NOT EVEN NON-COMBATANTS [liT TELEGIUrH —ritRSS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Tuesday Following a long discussion on tlio subject War and Peace, the following motion was passed at the annual convention of the Methodist Young Men's Bible Class movement: —"This convention recommends its members and all members of the Christian Church who believe that all war, including the one in which our nation is at present engaged, is contrary to the spirit and teaching of .Tesus Christ and that the way of the Cross is the only method of conquering evil (a) to follow that way unswervingly, refusing enlistment, preparations for war and all non-combatant service under military control, and (b) to endeavour by the grace of God to understand and serve all men, irrespective of nationality, and to persuade them that the only hope for the individual and for the world lies in following the teaching and example of Jesus." This motion was carried by 44 votes to three. On the subject of compulsory military service, the following motion was carried by 38 votes to 11: — "While recognising a loyalty to the country and Empire of which Ave are members, this convention reasserts the historic stand of the Christian Church in affirming that the Christian has a higher loyalty, that to his Lord and Mastev, Jesus Christ, and to truth as it is revealed to him by the grace of God. Believing, therefore that the conscription of human life for war purposes is an unwarrantable interference with the liberty and conscience of the citizen, we urge the Government to stand firm in its refusal to legislate for compulsory military service."
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23544, 3 January 1940, Page 9
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274REFUSAL TO SERVE New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23544, 3 January 1940, Page 9
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