WIIY DO NATIONS FALL?

Southland Times, Issue 17656, 14 February 1916, Page 2

WIIY DO NATIONS FALL?

To the Editor

Sir, —There are, doubtless, many in the dominion who believe, with Admiral Beatty, that until the Empire is stirred out of her stupor of self - satisfaction and complacency and a religious revival occurs, just so long will the war continue, and that when site looks to the futur’e with prayer on her lips, we can begin to count the days towards the end. The Bishop of AVeUlngton, Ur Sprott, has pointed out that tlie most generally accepted theory of the fall of nations is that they fall as the just judgment of a living God on national sin, and, in consequence. that a nation is master of its own fate and holds its destiny in its own hands.

Tlie Bishop lias also slated that it seems to be God's rule that, while Ho vouchsafes a direct answer to the request of an individual when the matter of the prayer concerns only an individual, where (he matter of prayer concerns goat masses of men and whole nations, God only moves when approached in all earnestness and unity of purpose by a great army of devoted servants of His. Feeling that the position of the Empire is one of the utmost gravity, anti that, if we are to come safely nut of Ibis, the greatest, crisis in her history, wc must organise onr spiritual torces, an endeavour is lining made to band together Christian people of all churches throughout New Zealand to pray daily, first, I hat ti wave of national repentance may sweep through tlie land, and. second, that God will bring ns safely through our time of trial and testing. A repre-enl ati ve committee has been formed lo further this movement, which has the approval, among others, of the Primate, Bishop Xcvill, Commissioner tlodder (Salvation Army), anil .Mr C. Cathie (chairman of the Baptist Union). It would help considerably if all tlio.se who would undertake to pray daily for these objects would communicate with All- U, O. Ale Clay, B! Gordon .Place, AA'ellingion, or the undersigned, for union is slrengtli in spiritual warfare as well as in earthly.

It is hoped that a week day at an early date may bo set apart by autliority to bo observed by all religious bodies throughout the dominion as a day of humiliation before Almighty God for national sin and of intercession for the Empire. Many believe, with Admiral Bcalty. tliat the sure, road to victory lies through the way of national penitence, 1 am, ole., H. HA UO 1.1) ItOJI.JOHNS. 'l3, Patanga Crescent, AVcllington.