MINISTERS AND WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2942, 30 November 1916, Page 6

MINISTERS AND WAR

PRESBYTERIAN ATTITUDE

ASSEMBLY'S RESOLUTION

The position of Presbyterian ministers' in relation to the military service ballots was discussed by the Presbyterian Assembly yesterday. Tho sub- [ ject had. been introduced by an overture from the Christchurch Presbytery. | '■ The overture was supported by the i Rev. A. T. Thompson, who moved:— 1 "That a committee of men above military ago be set up in each • presbytery for the purpose of arranging appeals in. eases where 6uch are thought necessary." The ltev. Dr. Gibb, who thought the Rev. Mr. Thompson's motion would not indicate definitely the Assembly's attitude, moved: —"That in common with the churches of our order throughout the world, the Assembly holds that the defence of home and principle, if even with the sword, is the duty of Christian citizenship, from which ministers of religion are not exempt. Nevertheless, in view of the high importance of his duties, never more important'than in a time like the present, and also in view of tho large number of vacancies in the pastorates occasioned by the departure of their ministers for the front as chaplains or fighting men, the Assembly holds that it is the duty of the Church to consider carefully in every instance of a minister on whom the' ballot falls whether he may not better serve the common, interests of the community by remaining at his work. The Assembly therefore resolves to bring into existence a committee in each of the military districts -whose duty it will bo when a minister or home missionary is called to military service to consider with him and his presbytery, and tho homo mission committee, all the interests involved, and in the event of reaching a.decision that the minister' or home missionary in question will better promote the glory of God and tho good of tho people by remaining at his own work, the committee shall make representations accordingly to the nearest Military S'ervico Board. Tho Assembly requests tho presbyteries of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin to appoint tho necessary committees, with the Revs. I. Jolly, Dr. Gibb, Dr. Ewan, and A. Cameron as their respective convenors." Tho Rev. Dr; Gibb said\tlio laymen were moro anxious to rotain tho ministers hero than tlio ministers wore to remain. That sliowod that tho services of tho ministers were appreciated. The Rev. Professor Dickie seconded tlio nirftion. The Rev. A. Whytc said he knew of the case of a minister who had refused a chaplaincy and had gone to the front as a private; lie had taken that course in order to reach men whom tho chaplains did not reach. The Rev. D. G. A. Shaw said ho would like it to be made quite clear by the motion that every man who could he spared would he relieved for activo service. The Rev. Dr. Gibb replied that if a minister earnestly wished to go to the front tho committee would not protest. The motion was carried unanimously.