PACIFISM AND WAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20097, 17 November 1939, Page 4

PACIFISM AND WAR

METHODISTS’ STAND CANTERBURY SYNOD (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The Methodist synod of the North Canterbury district discussed the church's attitude to war yesterday and, after resolutions had been put forward representing opposite views, a compromising resolution, framed by the Rev. M. A, Rugby Pratt, “to harmonise the views,” was passed.

Mr. H. Chapman, Christchurch, had given notice of motion as follows: — “That this synod places on record that the extreme pacifist views publicly expressed by certain members of our church are purely their personal opinions and do not express the mind of the Methodist Church.”

Mr. H. Ryan, Rangiora, opposed this resolution and moved: “That the synod declares its conviction in this time of national peril that applied Christianity is the only solution of the problems of the world. It deplores extreme nationalism and militaristic statements, which are neither in accord with the teaching of the New Testament nor with the mind of the Christian church. It recognises the supreme importance of human personality and strongly deprecates any attempt to undermine the sacred rights of conscience or to prevent free and unfettered expression of moral and spiritual convictions.”

Mr. Rugby Pratt, connectional secretary to the Methodist Church in New Zealand, offered a resolution to harmonise the views, and it read: “This synod declares that the mind of the Methodist Church on the issues of pacifism and war is set forth in the official deliverances of the conference and not in the published utterances of individual members of the church.” The resolution was passed unanimously.