CHRISTADELPHIANS AND THE WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25454, 8 February 1944, Page 4

CHRISTADELPHIANS AND THE WAR

Sir, —” Veteran of Two Wart ’’ published a statement which had. appeared in Smith’s Weekly about Christadelphians in the Commonwealth and their attitude to war. Notwithstanding the brief and —to the unbiased—satisfactory explanation by “D. M„” that “ everyone seeking to become a member must show, without doubt by a fairly stiff examination of his' beliefs," etc. (to ourselves and the constituted authorities) “ Veteran of Two Wars ” now changes his mode of attack, bv presuming that their origin is by Dr Thomas, and quoting (’’b 1805 d 1872 ”). It is true that under their present name—which means Brethren of Christ—they came into prominence, and with It much calumny, between those dates. But their real origin was in 33 A.D., and the commandments they follow are those of their beloved Master, Jesus Christ—for which we are now condemned, as He was about that date, and crucified. May I kindly correct “ Veteran of Two Wars by stating that Dr Thomas neither gave nor made any commandments, nor did he have any disciples, nor did he “ definitely foretell ” that the second coming of Christ would take place in 1920, nor " definitely ” in any particular year, as averred by " Veteran of Two Wars.’’ Such falsehoods a? those of which ” Veteran of Two Wars" is here guilty can have only one purpose—to mislead the simple, and to vent his spleen against an unoffending body of people whose only crime is to live at peace. From " Veteran of Two Wars ” these allegations come badly, according to his own " slogan he has fought ” two wars to end war,” but cannot see any other way of doing this but by his own dictum.—l am, etc.. Truth.

[The correspondence on this subject having been closed, the above letter is published at commercial rates.—Ed. O.D.T.]