THE CHURCH AND WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22212, 15 March 1934, Page 15

THE CHURCH AND WAR

TO THE EDITOB.

Sib, —I have been hoping that others of your readers would have written ere this to express appreciation of the very fine address "by the Rev. J. R. Blanchard, reported in your issue of Match 8, and I have wondered whether the absence or any such comment is due to the general feelings of hopelessness where the Church's attitude towards war and social questions is concerned. Still, if those ministers of Christ who honestly and courageously- seek a way in which the wise world policy set forth in the Sermon on the Mount may be put into practice nationally and internationally, thereby solving all our problems, are not given that support from "outsiders" which history gives them small hope of receiving from their church members, they are likely to regard themselves as " a voice crying in the wilderness," and to turn back. Nor are other clergymen who have honestly arrived at similar views likely to follow Mr Blanchard's example and give expression to them. How often have we seen such men penalised for their honesty and courage, deserted and scorned by their "flocks"? Therefore I desire very respectfully to' applaud Mr Blanchard's splendid address and to congratulate him on his pluck. It is indeed time that the Church, if it is not to become utterly contemptible, made known its attitude towards all future wars and the fiendish scheming 9 by which private j firms of munition manufacturers are provoking international fear and hatred. What has the Church to say concerning the conscientious objectors in the event of another war? Is she prepared to see , the few heroic faithful "effectively dealt j with " by the militarists, while she again j acts the part of a patriotic recruiting j agency? The Church can prevent not j only the persecution of the faithful, but j war itself. Is she prepared to do so? — j I am, etc., H. W. L.