Preacher Points To Need Of Tolerance

Chronicle (Levin), 29 November 1949, Page 4

Preacher Points To Need Of Tolerance

"Let us agree to differ but resolve to love" expresses good Christian sentiment in norma! times, but is partieularly apt at a time when feelings are stirred and fioods of words of political exhortation are being poured over the community," said Rev. A. Salmond in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Levin, on Sunday. • He said that he had no need to remind St. Andrew's congregation that the word love used in the Christian community had little or no relationship in meaning with that word of similar spelling used frequentiy in modern . romance and sentimental musie. To the Christian, love meanfc caring at a cost to one's self in every department'of life. "The Presbyterian Church has always been clear in its testimony thatA the civil magistrate, like the minister of • the Gospel, has a voeation. The making of good laws, the administration and enforcbnient of law and the maintenance cf order in the community is a fact everv Christian must re-

cognise. Various seets which encourage their members to contract out of national and civic duties may well be drawing attention to some neglected aspect of religious truth, but their voices have never spoken the full truth which the Christian Church has perceived and declared. When the Church of Scotland felt compelled to resist the State for the sake of freedom in church affairs, and suffered severely in consequence, there was never any denial of the divine voeation of the State in ils rightful sphere. "In general elections, as in life, Christians seldom get the easy choiees they desire. The functioning of all human institutions is influenced by human imperfection, human selfishness and human weakness and compromise, but recognition of that fact is an added stimulus to Chris'"ians to play their full part as citizsns in public affairs. "In a democracy, among other things, that involves exercising a vote 011 national issues and taking steps to be as well informed as; possible and making a sincere decision. The welfare of the • commonwealth is the end to be served. "It is a very good thing that individual members of opposing political parties in New Zealand can argue and disagree and then share the eontents of the same pot of tea. When • I lived with German students I used to b.e brought to the verge of despair at the way men would violently disagree and then take steos to wipe their opponents out. Tolerance. based ultimately on_ Christian repentance and recognition of the -need of fallen* humanity for God's saving grace does bring a spirit of houefulness into man's endeavours to rule himself. To let political disagreements mar friendships is something a Christian does not allow to happen, Recognition of the fundamental issues and values prevents men from falling into enmity over trifles," concluded Mr. Salmond.