PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER AND DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1928, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER AND DEFENCE

CHRISTCHURCH, Dray 8. Tli©-. members of the Christchurch Presbytery to-day would almost certainly have given their approval to a peace Manifesto, outlawing war, when the Rev Dr Erwin interposed with a forceful speech. He urged the members to pause and consider the

manifesto. , The manifesto was drawn up h.v the Peace Committee of all the principal Dominion Churches. It lias received approval from the Presbyterian General Assembly, and was then forwarded to the Presbyteries for tlieir opinion.

Dr Erwin said that he needed nothing to convince him of the evils of war, but the .Manifesto, lie said, went too far, and took up a position which no other Christian body, except Quakers, had ever taken lit). Statements in the Dfauifesto wore contrary to fact, and could not he sustained by the people. even if they retained the Presbytery’s sanction.

Regarding the assertion in the Dfan-

ifesto as to tiie futility of war, lie said the testimony of history was entirely to the contrary. “Where,” lie said, “would the freedom of the British people be if our fathers, had not raised themselves against the absolutions of Charles the First,, or against the bigotry of James the Second?”

Ho went (;n : “We should not endorse a Manifesto which states that we are assured that war. as a means of settling disputes between nations, is entirely opposed to the mind of Christ. I am not prepared to endorse such a sentiment. The lilierty of the "Dutch Republic was obtained by the .struggle of the Sea Beggars of Brille against the tyranny of Spain. Were the actions of those men opposed to the mind of Christ? Could it ,be jirgued that we would not he justified in bearing amis to resist tile menace of Russia to-day? The setting of our seal on tlie Manifesto . would prohibit the Presbyterians from! bearings arms for any purpose what- I ever.”

He concluded ; “You may form your societies and deck the members with olive leaves, but let anything touch the liberty of a British, and in a moment your peace uniforms will be changed to khaki!” Consideration of the manifesto was left to a Committee, no action being taken.