A RELIGIOUS OBJECTOR.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16166, 21 March 1918, Page 4

A RELIGIOUS OBJECTOR.

FAILURE TO ENROL

FINE OF i'o INFLICTED

Charged with failing to enrol linger the Military Service Act, Edwin Elsoiu delivered a long dissertation on his religious beliefs to Mr T. A. U. Bailey, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. There was a time, he said, when he was found on racecourses, in theatres, and in hotels, but some years ago he had become a Christian, and since then had devoted his life and r.U the proceeds from his business to Je.sus Christ. When the war broke out, he asked counsel of God as to his position, and the words came through the liolv Ghost, "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." He was not to follow any unconverted politician or unconverted editor of a newspaper. His life, body, soul, spirit, means, unci everything belonged to the King of Kings. , Senior-Sergeant Cuniming said t.hat no doubt the man was a true religious objector, but no man could be permitted to defy the law. He was u married man with, three children, and the Government Statistician had vaid that there would be no possibility of his being called up before Septemb?r. By that time the accused would be over military age, and therefore exempt from servicc. This had been pointed out to- him. but he still declined to enrol. The proper time to put forward his objections to service was after he had been called in the ballot. Elsom remarked that he had had a long illness due to blood-poisoning, and would bo quite unfit for service, so that it was plain liis objections were purely religious. His Worship: Quite so; but you seem to want to make a martyr of yourself. Accused: In life or death I must stand faithful to Jesus Christ. His "Worship'"replied that no doubt accused's convictions were to be admired, but nevertheless he must not defy the law. He would be lined £5 and costs.