CHURCH AND WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 89, 12 October 1934, Page 10

CHURCH AND WAR

VIEWS OF BAPTISTS

APPOINTMENT OF CHAPLAINS

IS IT NECESSARY?

The question of the Church's attitude towards war was raised at today's session of the assembly of the New Zealand Baptist Union. The discussion arose on the proposal to appoint a chaplain to the Forces' Committee. The Rev. L. B. Busiield (Auckland) said that he hoped the conference would at a later stage pass a resolution declaring the attitude of the Church to Ibe against war in any shape or form. Ho thought it would be inconsistent on the part of a Christina assembly to pass resolutions denouncing war, and then appoint from its members military chaplains. While it was desirable to send ministers to look after the spiritual and moral tone of the men in camp, he felt that no Baptist minister ought to go into camp swearing allegiance to a military authority (which he must do), when he had already sworn his allegiance to a Greater Power. The two things were not compatible. He very much questioned the usefulness of chaplains going into camp. If the men who went into camp were regular attendants at church, they were not in desperate need of spiritual assistance or advice in camp. In most cases they could attend church within a reasonable distance of tho camp. If, on the other hand, it was not the habit of some men to attend church, such men were not likely to be changed by compulsory parades. ' He thought the Baptist Union should voice its opinion that none of its ministers should accept a commission in the military forces at tho present time. BAPTISTS SHOULD BE THERE. Mr. W. Ryder (Christchurch) thought that if war occurred it was up to members of the Baptist Church to be there as would be members of other denominations. Mr. H. Ivory (Wellington) said that while he detested war, possibly more than the Rev. Mr. Busfleld, he thought that the camps should have military chaplains of the Baptist Church, for such chaplains would then have an official standing. The Rev. L. A. North (Christehurch) drew attention to the fact that a notice of motion had been given with respect to the attitude of the Church towards war; the proposal referring to chaplains could be considered after the general resolution. The Rev. J. Hiddleston (Auckland) said that he hateii war and still suffered from the effects of the last war. He strongly urged the need for military chaplains, and spoke of the unique opportunity for helping the men in camp. He hoped to continue what he considered to be his duty as a chaplain representing the Baptist Church. The Rev. C. W. Duncumb (Napier) remarked that he had attended military camps since lie was sixteen years of age. He was in general agreement with the notice of motion, but the general question of the attitude of the Church towards war and that of tho appointment of military chaplains were separate matters and quite apart. So long as there were military camps, there existed the need for chaplains to visit them. Mr. Busfield said that his objection was to Baptist ministers going into camp as officers of the Defence Department. If they went into camp simply as Christian ministers he himself would be glad to go. An amendment postponing the ap; pointment of the military chaplains' committee was carried. NOTICE OF MOTION. The notice of motion, to bo moved later, with respect to the Church's attitude towards war is as follows: — That this meeting of the Baptist Union of New Zealand in conference assembled declares its absolute opposition to war as being altogether incompatible with the spirit, teaching, and example of our Lord Jesus Christ. It urges upon the Government the observance of the pledge given by our nation under the Kellogg Pact; and further declares its conviction that the time has arrived when the Christian Church should declare emphatically and finally that it will, not participate in any way by encouraging its members of either sex to participate in its prosecution, either by serving with the forces or in the manufacture or transport of munitions and military supplies.