WEIGHT INTO COMMON CAUSE

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 30, Issue 12, 1 February 1940, Page 1

WEIGHT INTO COMMON CAUSE

Finding under God's Guidance Task to be Done BISHOP'S LETTER. My Defer People, A quarter of a century ago New Zealand was enlisting and training citizen-soldiers, who were soon to serve their country overseas, and with great distinction. Despite almost superhuman efforts on behalf of her leaders to preserve peace, our is at war again, and upon an issue from which we believe it have been both cowardly and -disastrous to flinch. ' \ ' • . : Information which was to some -degree overlooked, m the great struggle for peace, has now been -widely circulated. And it is impossible for a reasonable mind to reject the cumulative , evidence of -official information,* newspapers, radio, reviews, novels, returned travellers, refugees, and British residents m Europe, Clearly the Nazi regime has nullified the benefits given to a formerly distressed Germany, by - irrevocably committing itself to such methods of coldblooded.and treacherous brutality as to challenge all the underlying principles of truth, loyalty, and honour upon which the structure of Christian civilisation has been slowly and painfully erected. Free citizenship is represented by the espionage of secret police and extinction m concentration camps; racial hatred inspires the young to a merciless intolerance to friends, relatives, and old people, thus destroying all family affection. Almost fiendish is the systematic persecution of Jewish

children m the schools, and of disastrous moral effect upon the Aryan children themselves. A whole generation of one of the world's most virile people has been trained to a deadly but false philosophy of life, and it is with such that we and our allies, are grappling m mortal combat. Is New Zealand Asleep? For some months there was a degree of uncertainty as to the part which New Zealand should be called upon to play. Lack of spectacular war news, and a false s.sftse of distant security, rendered us unable to

appreciate, the reality of this stupendous conflict. There are still some of us so fully engrossed; m our normal work or play as to look upon the war as a tiresome irritation, which will however settle itself satisfactorily without any effort or sacrifice on our part. Major-General Freyberg, V.C., recently arrived m our midst, right from the heart of world affairs, to take charge of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. His coming brought realisation that we stand beside the people of the Homeland m a struggle, demanding our fullest resources, and involving the survival of all the ideals, social, political, and religious* which we hold dear. Under such circumstances then, the attitude both of country arid of

individual must surely be, not: "How little will suffice as my contribution to the cause?" But: "What more . can we possibly do towards victory, and m preparation > for subsequent peace?" Time and Energy Upon Futilities One cannot but feel that as compared with the people of Britain, many New Zealanders are still spending too much time and energy upon futilities, when bigger things might be taken m hand. Of course the normal industries of the country must be run at fullest efficiency, arid sufficient recreations enjoyed as to keep the population fit, cheerful and efficient. Many are already engaged m Red Cross, Patriotic Fund, Church of England Military Affairs, and similar organisations, but it can . hardly be contended feat the • Do- . minion as a whole is "straining every muscle" to do its bit. ; Quite a lot is heard about "equality of sacrifice," "conscription of wealth," etc., and not always by people, who are themselves sacrificing anything. ' Now there is of necessity a great contrast between the sacrifice of a man who enlists, and contributes to the cause the whole of his time, 1 ' energy, freedom, and person, to •serve m the Forces overseas or at home, and a man remaining a civilian, who may or may 1 not go out of his way to do anything extra to help his country. Disparity of Sacrifice. Moreover as between individuals who enlist there are infinite varieties of difference between the jobs being left, family responsibilities, financial losses, or gains, making a disparity of sacrifice. These matters ought to present no difficulty to a Christian. For he should not be out to seek the vindication of his rights> or the recognition of his services, but merely to find under God's guidance the task that he should do, be .it civilian or military; and to throw , his whole weight into the common cause not seeking to avoid con-

sequent material losses, and readjustments to his habits and manner of life. » ' ■ . ■ ■ v I believe that the time is near when our national leaders will be able to confront our home population with more definite ways of national service. Half-hearted patriotism will neyer enable us to prevail against fanatical and highly organised foes. Church people should be among the first to set an example, as their sons have done by enlistment. Meanwhile the Church of God must make every effort to ensure that the rising generation shall grow up conscious of the Gospel Message and set upon following the Christian Way of Life. With depletions m the ranks of the clergy this will demand a wider effort . on the part of the laity to accept responsibility for teaching the faith to the young. Church Congress at Hastings. At our Church Congress m Hastings at the beginning of April two aspects of this will be emphasised. Firstly the direction of a "Big Brother . and Sister" movement, whereby young men and women accept responsibility for the instruction of children, and secondly a "Religion m the Home" campaign to persuade Church parents to show the courage of their convictions so that Grace at meals, simple prayers, and brief Scripture reading, have a normal place m the household where children are reared. Especially m remote country districts Divine truth is often overlooked except when the parson pays a monthly visit to take a service. More than this is needed if the Faith is to hold civilisation together m these troublous times, and to lay the foundation for a sounder human order. During the next two months I propose to visit at least our larger centres and to speak of the aims and objects of our Congress. Your sincere friend and Bishop, G. VINCENT WAIAPU.