INTERNATIONAL PAGANISM

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1719, 9 April 1913, Page 4

INTERNATIONAL PAGANISM

- The .Rev. Dr. Percy Dearmer, speaking on '"'The Need of International Christianity" at Bow Church, Cheapside, recently, said that, what was wrong with the nation to-day was their failure to act as if each natiuu was a civilised man. The individual standard of truth, ■ honour,, justice, and mercy was one thing, while ilie national standard was another. It might well be said to many a diplomat to-day, "As a private man yon arc honourable, gentle, and kind; but iii your public capacity you are a liar, a 'lxirbarian, and you are most cruel." That was tho evil. Tho Chancelleries still acted as if they did not consist of Christians. Ono result of the international paganism was that war continued. While the diplomats continued to lie to one another war might break out at nny lime. Each party lied, each party played tho gamo of bluff, and then a step was taken, retreat became impossible, and ivar was declared. And so the diplomatic game went on. They were so used tc it that they did not expect a human standard of honour among the nations, still less a Christian standard of charity. They saw the machine lumbering along, creaking with fear and suspicion. Yet there was a hopeful side. The Powers did work earnestly for peace, and it would lie ungrateful not to acknowledge that British statesmanship had been foremost in establishing better conditions.