THE CHURCH AND WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22398, 20 October 1934, Page 25

THE CHURCH AND WAR

TO TIIF, EDITOR. Sir, —On reading the report in Wednesday’s Daily Times of the Baptist Union Conference resolution on the subject of war, I was somewhat pained to read that there was no seconder to the Rev. J O. Macky’s amendment in these terms: “That this assembly affirms its loyalty to the Throne and its Constitution and supports his Majesty’s Government in every effort to make adequate preparation for the protection of our beloved Empire throughout the far-flung dominions, and it affirms its confidence that his Majesty’s forces will never be engaged in any war of aggression and that the Empire will lawfully strive, ‘ even unto blood,’ for the preservation of the glorious liberties purchased at sueli tremendous cost.” I would like to know what would be the attitude' of those ecclesiastical gentlemen if such an event should happen, as is quite within the bounds of possibility. If an enemy should make his appearance on the horizon I suppose we should all run to the hills, and let him work his own sweet will. I feel very strongly on this subject. Were it not for the Constitution of the British Empire those gentlemen would not have been sitting in their smug position in Wellington, and by their activities they are infusing into the minds of the nation the very sentiment for which our enemies arc praying so that when we are lulled into inactivity they can pounce on us. It is easier far to float down tlio stream of this world’s evil current like a dead log than it is to face and challenge the mighty world forces which pass along their swift way of destruction. How easy it is to shim the conflict, and recline on the coward's couch talking the blessedness of peace! We want neither Communists nor Fascists in this fair country of ours, but these hecklers of our Empire, by sitting tight on their ideas, are hatching both, and there are those in our -midst ready to join up with the latter should the emergency arise. Mr Macky is to be commended upon taking a lone hand in moving his amendment in his company of milk and water advocates who, by the stand they are taking, would prolong war whilst action on the lines of the amendment would unify the British Empire more closely and eventually the whole world would be brought into one vast commonwealth of nations and thus terminate war for all time. —I am, etc., Israel.