THE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17158, 10 November 1917, Page 11

THE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR.

Oonscienoo is pur moral memory, the memory of the heart, which t.ruly doubles all Our feelings, when they are such as religion or virtue inspired. Sib,—From first to last tho genuine conscientious objector has had to face misrepresentation as well as ignorance. Nevertheless, to-daj' he is to bo found in every nation under the sun, maintaining a principle which tho majority of us deny. Although the principle is almost dependent for new adherents on converts from the orthodox ranks, it yet obtains converts and will continue to obtain converts enough to perpetuate what is termed its heresy or want of patriotism. Tho teaching , institutions throughout this dominion are all in the hands of those to whom the name of conscientious objector is accursed. Yet the conscientious objector lives on;, nor docs ho die without issue, so to epeak. Error docs not become truth, merely by being so regarded for a length of time. But the .fact that the fundamental doctrines of tho conscientious objector have survived unchanged through centuries, that both men and women have "had to face uncompromising hostility and make or confirm converts by a severe practical demonstration of their faith, may well .be regarded as proof beyond question, that it is with reason ( that the conscientious objector declares, "We have not followed cunningly devised fables. If, however, tho conscientious objector seeks to proclaim the faith that is in him, he falls under the ban of official condemnation, and sometimes is sentenced to two years' hard labour. Now, if our law-makers were known to have made an exhaustive study of the fundamental principles and faith of the conscientious objector, and by personal experience proved them to bo fallacious, even then, as law-makers, they surely should say, "these claims are made by certain men; our own opinion does not confirm them, but as long as they command support, it is better such claims should be impartially investigated, since it cannot bo 6aid that the public conscience can afford to neglect help from any quarter, however uncompromising." But the actual state of affairs is far otherwise. _ The majority hears the conscientious objector dismissed with a sneer, held up to ridicule and contempt, or imprisoned without the right of appeal—a right extended to the very worst type of criminals. Looked at from a psychological and physiological standpoint wherein is the distinguishable difference between the conscientious objectors who happen to be outside the pale of any organised church, but whoso doctrines and beliefs cannot be uprooted either by material force or moral suasion, and the churchman who believes, let us say? in apostolic succession? With the Bible in their hands to guide and direct them in their deliberations, the former with all their hearts believe that by the direct prerogativeiof God himself they are "priests unto Hie (Christ'si God and Father," and the latter with all their hearts believe that no one can be a priest unless he be ordained in strict conformity with the rites and ceremonials of the church to which he belongs. Arising out of these two distinct and separate procedures, we have it that the elemental Christian is conscripted who believes no ordination ceremony is required to make him a priest in the sight of God and his co-relktionists; while the learned Christian who believes in apostolic success sion, ordination, and'belongs to an organised church may be exempted absolutely. Is not this bordering on Prussianism—" might is right"—the more so in a democratic community wherein the government is supposed to own the people, and must it not inevitably lead to the disintegration of all civilised society? Who among us is able to unravel the tangled skein so that oven-handed justice may be dispensed, without fear or favour to all claiming to be Christians?

The risk shouldered by conscientious objectors in England, Franco. Russia, Germany, and elsewhere is indubitable proof of their integrity and s-noerity of purpose. They cannot be bribed—their refusal to sign certain documents even when intimidated and the privations and punishments they voluntarily pndure serve onlv to strengthen the faith which they fight for against overwhelming odds. A faith, indeed, , which burning faggots cannot purge out of a churchman or sectarian, both of whom find the spring and source of their Unswerving faith in iiho same Bible subject to the in* terpretations drawn from 'ts writings by the learned and elemental student of things divine and supernatural! -Syr, has it come to pass already, or is the day fast approaching, when the Union Jack of Did England— the emblem of democracy—the flag that has protected and sheltered within its folds, conse'entious obiectors from the four quarters of the globe—will no longer tolerate its own. or recognis" the of peaceful minorities living within the Empire? Who knows? The trulv martial spirit does not concern itself about what the- other man is dointr, but in accord with th" voice of an officer at the battle of Gettysburg, cries out, "Comi- , on boys, wo can't live hero for ever."—l am, etc., D. Wishabt.