TO REFUSE ENLISTMENT

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVIII, Issue 45, 3 January 1940, Page 3

TO REFUSE ENLISTMENT

MEMBERS OF METHODIST BIBLE CLASS. WELLINGTON, Last night. Following a long discussion on the subject of war and peace, the following motion was passed at the annual convention of the Methodist Young Men’s Bible Class movement: — “This convention recommends to its members and to all members of the Christian Church who believe that all war, including the one in which our nation is at present engaged, is contrary to the spirit and teaching of Jesus Christ our Lord, and that the way of the Cross is the only method of conquering evil, (a) to follow that way unswervingly, refusing enlistment, preparations for war, and all non-combatant service under military control; and (b) to endeavor by the grace of God to understand and serve all men irrespective of nationality and to persuade them that the only hope for the individual and for the world lies in the following of the teaching and example of Jesus. ’ ’ This motion was carried by 44 votes to three. A motion against compulsory military service, was carried by 38 votes to 11.