PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20207, 29 May 1937, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to write In ink. It IS ossential that anonymous writers enolose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith. Unless this rule Is compiled with, their letters will not appear.

SUNDIAL. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Last evening I listened to an address by Mr Allan Bryce on the recently-completed sundial which was offered to the oltlzens of Hamilton to commemorate the Coronation. As one who was Impressed by the beauty and educational value of this masterpiece of Ingenuity I wish to protest against the attitude of the Borough Council. This body was responsible for the year’s best Joke when It suggested that the sundial should be erected In Memorial Park—where it would get the most sun. The dial should be erected In a convenient place where the sun’s rays will find It from sunrise to sunset the year round. Furthermore, It must be placed in a position most removed from the ravages of vandals. Such an object would not be Improved by the addition of Initials and names, nor would It be Improved by the loss of any of Its nomes.—l am, etc., HAMILTONIAN. Hamilton, May 27. PEACE AND WAR. (To the Editor.) Sir, —In. your columns to-day you publish a condensed report of an address given by the Rev. H. O. Gilbert last Sunday evening, in which he condemned war as violating the Christian principles of love and the brotherhood' of man, based on the Fatherhood of God. I was present at the service and listened with interest to the address. I would like space to point out what seems to me to be an Inconsistency in his statements. Mr Gilbert condemned utterly wars of aggression as murder and as un-Christlan. He painted vivid pictures of mass murder during the World War, describing the horrors and awfulness of it from a Christian padre’s point of view, and from his statements regarding the-necessity for safeguarding our security, one presumes that he considers defensive warfare justifiable, even from the Christian viewpoint. The Christian faith, then, would seem to condemn killing in a war of aggression, but permit it In a war of defence. I cannot see that this can be true. The nature and the causes of a war do not affect the question—can a Christian take part in war and take the life of his fellow-men without violating the principles of his Christian faith? Either war can be Justified by the . Christian faith or it oannot. There Is no other alternative. We cannot find religious sanotion for one war and refuse it for another. I heartily agree with all that was said about wars of aggression, but feel that he missed the logical conclusion of his statements when he failed to condemn war at all times. I do not believe that the Christian can at any time take part in war and murder his brother-man.—l am, eto., T. G. SPOONER. Ngahinapourl, May 25. WINTER APPEAL. (To the Editor.) Sir, —We are sorry that it is necessary to make this appeal, but the years of depression have left their mark on the Interior of the workingclass homes in this city. Beds, bedding and furniture are still needed. However keen they may be, elderly men are unable to find work. With the higher cost of living and increasing rents they have not sufficient. There are numbers of little children, and sick women, too, in these homes. As winter comes on we are dismayed and full of fear. Will you please help us? Strengthen our hands, as it were 1 Make it possible for us to go forward, hither and thither, irt and out of these homes, giving comfort to mothers with their little ones, taking delicacies to the sick, who are often in pain, with so little to help. Medicines that soothe are beyond their reach, and without your co-operation oud efforts will be in vain. On wet days they come in for coats, shoes, underwear, and clothing. Boys’ pants are always a standing order. There are many aged and sick who are not eligible for pensions. These need coal and firewood, warm underwear and blankets. There are a number of most worthy women who call at our office once a w r eek for Is 6d. I low grateful they are for even this sum regularly given I Then there are the lonely, who do not know human love or friendship. Gifts of money will be gratefully received, acknowledged and distributed in the exercise of our ministry of helpfulness. Clothing is needed for men, women and children, and wee babies; boots new and second-hand; foodstuffs, beds, bedding, prams and i cols. Will you please help us to make little ones comfortable, to relieve the burden of the molliers, and to cnre tenderly for Ibe sick and aged? Thanking 1 you in grateful anticipation, —I am, etc., SISTER ESTHER. ! 17 Pic.ton Street, f’onsonby, Auckland.

HAYEB PADDOCK. (To the Editor.) Sir, —May I protest with all the vigour I may against the proposal to allow this magnificent reserve to be used for building sites? ** I am award that the plan Is disguised under the name of garden suburb. 1 have In past years, in your oolumns, advocated the provision of at least one garden suburb, but I was then a voice crying in the wilderness. I have not, however, at any time advocated the expropriation of pulbllc reserves for that purpose. It seems to me that the foresight of the Hamilton pioneers is now on the point of gross betrayal. If this borough endowment, after the Lake and River Reserves the most glorious of our olvio domains, is to be sacrificed it ought not to be without protest. It Is true that Hamilton has not yet awakened to the value of Hayes Paddock, and if that is an excuse for public apathy It is no excuse for the Borough Council nor *or those bodies organised for the preservation of beauty. What i-s the Domain Board doing? Where is the Beautifying Society? Is it necessary to organise some other body whose slogan shall be “Hands off our reserves’’? It is these reserves which are our heritage for the future.—l am, etc., F. A. de la MARE. Hamilton, 'May 28. BRITISH-18RAEL MOVEMENT. (To the Editor.) Sir,—ln reply to Mr Gore I unhesitatingly state that there is nothing wrong with Brltish-Israel teachings. l ln the first place, British-Israelites jdo not change Pyramid dates and [ measurements. Their measurements I are those made by Sir Flinders Petrie, who is not a Brltish-Israelite, and they I adhere strictly to those measurements. ! The dates correspond with certain ! measurements and cannot be changed without altering the structure of the Pyramid, which is a human impossibility. The Pyramid Is only supplementary to British-Israel teachings, which ! stand or fall by the Bible. There Is |no biblical proof that the last klngI elect, one of whose names was David, i was to be the last king. Certain enthusiastic British-Israelites thought they saw a parallel between King I David of Israel and King David of | Britain, and rushed into print about it; | but this is not part of British-Israel I teachings. The British Kingdom is the fifth Kingdom of Daniel, but is not connected with the eighth King of Revelation xvii.—l am, etc., GEORGE LEITCH. Frankton, May 25.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Pastor Salisbury, In his letter of May 21, says nothing about my heavenly witness, but brings In a lot of new statements, yet with nothing definite, while he also says nothing about a nation that God claims by His witnesses is to remain before Him for ever. Th pastor refers to the quotations that are mentioned, which he claims “as using texts which have either a past or a future purpose.” Who is to be the judge, the individual or the proof of their fulfilment? I read the Bible and I look for the fulfilment of these prophecies, and when they come as foretold, then I accept them as prophecy fulfilled. Now let me bring in the Great Revealer of Secrets, even .lesus Christ. He said:. “Heaven and earth may pass away, but My Word shall not pass away.” Not a jot or little shall fail until all be fulfilled. When He spoke to the two Disciples who were walking to Emmaus He said: “Oh, fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” Every phopheoy concerning Christ’s life on earth has been fulfilled exactly as foretold, so when asked: “Why hark back to the Old Testament for proof?” I say the proof of the end from the beginning is recorded there, and I boldly declare it.

Now as to Israel not being lost, as the pastor -states :They were removed by Shalmanazor and carried north and east to Media, and were there until the Destruction of Babylon and slaying of Balshazzar. Then there was the looting of Babylon by the Meades and Persians. Then Jeremiah is recorded in the Bible (chapter 11, verse 5) : “For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God of the Lord of Hosts; verse G) “Flee out of the midst of Babylon and deliver every man his soul; he not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; lie will render unto her a. recompense.” And what a recompense—utter destruction. And Israel did flee. The Prophet Esdras says (II Esdras. xiii, 43): “And lliey entered into Euphrates by the narrow passage of the river (verse 44). For the Most High then showed signs for them, and held still the Hood till they were passed over.” Now if Babylon was utterly destroyed and remains so. what of Israel’s deliverance, as declared by God? Where were they to go? Why, of course, to Israel’s snnelunry. Where? God’s promise to King David through Nathan the Prophet (I Chronicles, xvii, 9): “Also I will ordain a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more, neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at tho beginning." Ezekiel xxix, 25) shows the gathering “when I shall have gathered the House of Israel from the people among whom I have •scattered them.” Even the isles of the sea to earth’s uttermost end. There are many signs of the coming struggle between the dYlator nations and Israel’s God, with IBs people. His nation. His kingdom. U s king of the Davidic line, crowned as all his predecessors were, using Ihe samo words and acting the same acts—the anointing, the rolling and crowning, silting on a rough, undressed stone.— I am. etc., # EWEN McGHF.GOB. Hamilton, May 27.