THE CHURCHES AND THE DEFENCEACT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1753, 19 May 1913, Page 3

THE CHURCHES AND THE DEFENCEACT.

Sir,—Where are the churches in their attitudo to the Defence Act? What lead are they giving the people? Is the pulpit leading tho pew, or does tho pew silenco the pulpit? A great opportunity is surely being missed; tho programmo of Christ's Christianity is that of love to our enemies, blessing to those that curso tho returning of good for evil. The same standard is required for national as for individual life. Meanwhile men aro being alienated from churches that lower this standard, and Socialists aro leading where tho churches shelter behind boy conscripts. In contrast to the apathv referred to is tho resolution passed by tho Society of Friends at their recent annual conference in Havelock North, representing tho membership in the North and South Islands. "In again considering our duty towards the provisions of the Defence Act, wo feel called upon to look at it as affecting humanity generally, rather than as it touches us as members of the Society of Friends. Wo aro unsh'akon in our firm belief that all war, with preparation for war, is contrary to the teaching of Christ, and we claim for all mdn freedom of conscience, and for tho growing youth of New Zealand education in tho highest ideals. To secure this, we maintain that it is essential to repeal the Act, demanding compulsory military training. Since ifiany of tho prosecuted youths of our Dominion fire connectcd with churches that are not clear in their testimony against war, and others, whn have an awakening conscience concerning its unlawfulness, aro not under religious care and training, we exliort Friends to make thaso youths their w&oial caro,. 6trgngti^-_.

oning and standing by them in their battle for their rights, and helping them to a clear and intelligent conception of their position. We would also urge '•friends everywhere, in all possiblo ways, not only to promote the cause of peace, but to work for the repeal of an Act driving New Zealand lads into compulsory training for war." Will you allow me, after giving this manifesto of tho Quakers, to give also the resolution passed with intense enthusiasm l,y the National Free Church Council of England at their annual conference this year: "That the council expresses its determination to oiler the strongest resistance to conscription. Moreover, it expresses its' sympathy with tho members of the Society of Friends and others, who arc lighting against compulsory militarv service in Australia and New Zealand. To conscription we will never submit." The ltev. Clifford tq>olce of this resolution "as a feeble 'indication of their determination, as a council, to oppose conscription with all their might." The Kev. A. Connell (Presbyterian), the president, declared that "the system of conscription was hopelessly reactionary, for it harnesses tho nation irrevocably to the forces that arc going to send it rattling into barbarism; we should decline to add a new misery to. every British home, a new embarrassment to every business and the whole affairs of commerce, a new and intolerable financial burden to that which the people havo already to bear, and we decline to ilaunt, as wo should be flaunting, a new challenge in the face of the world." May .this noblo utterance find its echoes in this Dominion.—l am, J. HERBERT THOBI 1 , M.B. and Ch. B„ Bdin.