METHODISTS AND WAR

Patea Mail, 8 January 1940, Page 2

METHODISTS AND WAR

~ V——— TO THE- EDITOR " : Sir, —As a member of the Methodist Church and as one profoundly convinced of the honest desire of our Empire lenders for world peace, 1 was shocked to 1 ” see the resolution of the Young Men ’s ■ Methodist Bible Class Convene ti6n ns reported in Wednesday's Herald. Few will question the courage or the honesty prompting these resolutions, but it should be stated that they do not express the, mind of the Methodist Church ns a whole, nor the mind of the majority of Methodist youth. Xo one in. his senses regards war, especially modern war, as the way of settling international disputes, but cold facts must be faced. : Passively to stand by and allow ruthless brutality to have a free hand, to see destroyed before our eyes the patient work of centuries, to permit the cynical and cold-blooded destruction of weaker nations simply because they cherish ideals tlit’lrs, have enlisted and Will sliortiy bc'on active service, proves that their opinion is only sectional. As one who saw years of service in the last war, I know something of its horrors; but even though it involves, another war, the defence of the weak, the staying of the hand of the destroyer, is a plain duty to humanity. / E. T. OLDS.