A NAMELESS SECT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18239, 7 May 1921, Page 7

A NAMELESS SECT

LEADING A PEACEFUL LIFE. JUDGING NO MAN. A peculiar sect in the neighbourhood of Purakanui was the subject of an interesting conversation between bench and witness m the City Police Court yesterday, when _ a youth of 1G years, named Percy John Harris, applied for exemption from Senior Cadet training on the ground of conscientious objections. , The applicant, who was represented ny Mr O’Shea, said he did not believe in drill, because when Jesus was on earth He did not go to fight. He added that their church had no name, and that lie became a member in January. Major Fraser, who represented the Defence Department, said he had interviewed the lad s father and one of the elders, and it seemed to bo against their beliefs for any member of their church to undertake military duties. Two members of the church had been granted! exemption before, but in the case of a Senior Cadet it had been made effective only until he came of Territorial ago, when it would bo reviewed. The Magistrate said it was hardly likely that a lad of his years could hold definite ■views on such a momentous question, and 1 ho was entitled to exemption if it was against his father's beliefs. The boy’s father said it was the aim of their church to lead a peaceful life and to walk as they believed Jesus would if Ho lived to-day.’ He explained that he would not like to influence the boy one way or the other. Another. boy did go in for military training and witness did not hinder him. The Magistrate; Have you any written constitution ? "Witness: No. We believe that wo are able to live as Jesus would live if He -were on earth to-day. We have the Bible and the Spirit of God, wKich is in each one of us, to enable us to do what is right in His sight. The Magistrate: Is the other boy going against the Bible? Witness; I would not like to say. He will have to answer for himself I judge no man; not even my own. The Magistrate: But who is to interpret the Bible for you? Witness: The Spirit of God, which is in us—one Father and one Spirit. He added that his boy had given up football and cricket tp go in for the life ho was now living, which vtas a life of sacrifice. The Magistrate said he had to satisfy himself that the application was made in good faith on religious grounds, and) there was no question about it in this case., Exemption was granted until Territorial age.