METHODIST CHURCH AND WAR

Southland Times, Issue 24680, 27 February 1942, Page 5

METHODIST CHURCH AND WAR

EMPIRE’S CAUSE UPHELD (P.A.) WELLINGTON, February 26. Confidence that the Methodist people would continue till victory was achieved to uphold the righteous cause to which the British nation was committed was expressed by the Methodist Conference today. The findings of the conference were released to the Press after several hours’ discussion in committee on the questions of peace and war. The president of the conference,, the Rev. W. Walker (Remuera) said the resolutions had been adopted by an overwhelming majority, unmistakably revealing the mind of the church. The resolutions included: “The conference reaffirms the manifesto of the conference of February 1940 on peace and war and places on record the following findings for the further guidance of the people of the Methodist Church in New Zealand: The conference reaffirms its loyalty to our King and Empire and expresses its gratitude to Almighty God for Divine protection and preservation of the nation in this time of world-wide crisis. The conference is confirmed in its belief in the righteousness of the cause to which our nation is committed and in which the great majority of the people of our church are zealously engaged. It believes submission to the forces of ruthless aggression would imperil civilization and endanger the existence of those conditions, amid which Christianity finds free expression. It is confident our people will continue to uphold this righteous cause till victory has been achieved. Adhering to the principle of freedom of conscience, which should be respected, it declares that any who for conscientious reasons, sincerely held and attested, are unwilling to bear arms should give some form of alternative sacrificial service to the country.”