THE CENOTAPH AND THE CROSS
(To the Editor.) | Sir, —If a cenotaph or any other form of memorial had been erected in Paeroa without the Christian symbol of sacrifice upon it, and no public reference had been made to it before its erection, it would probably have escaped comment. Your leader and His Worship the Mayor’s public utterance have completely changed the position. I must confess that I was pained as well as surprised to find that a reputab’e newspaper could be found in New Zealand that would so far depart from our traditions in journalism as to publish a leader so offensive to Christian sentiment. Had I written this letter immediately upon reading your article I am afraid I would have used a stronger term. As a responsible Christian loader I have taken time to deliberate upon it, and have consulted with ether leaders before penning this. They agree with me that the matter should not be passed over without an emphatic protest. The wide world over to-day the cross is the recognised symbol of Christianity, and also of voluntary sacrifice. Its associations have made it sacred. No man can touch it with irreverent hands and hope to escape. There have been times in history when to spit upon a rude cross scratched by a pagan soldier on a wall, or to obliterate with the foot one marked in the sand by a Moh unmedan fanatic, would save the life. Yet because of its hallowed associations and the things it represents in the life of the individual and nation men have preferred to die rather than dishonour it. Because of such things as these, and many more, to belittle the cross is to sorely grieve the heart of Christians ; aye, and rouse their ire as well. For the “Hauraki Plains Gazette” to tell us that it is not a suitable emblem to appear upon a memorial to our cherished dead wounds us very much. It grieves us more to know that our chief citizen (unthinkingly maybe) re-echoed this sentiment. May I remind you both in all kindness that the Christian conscience is a very sensitive thing, and Christian conviction very closely allied to our deepest and strongest emotions. I have seen many memorials of various sizes, shapes, and materials, but never before have I known of one from which the sacred symbol was banned. Surely it is a new thing in New Zealand that Press and platform should combine and outrage religious feeling by declaring that the most revered of all symbols should be and would be excluded. The cenotaph in London was for a very different purpose, and was never intended to take the place of local memorials. It is at the heart of the Empire, commemorating men and women of all races and creeds.
That the governments of New Zealand and Great Britain do not despise the cross is proved by the number they have erected over our cherished dead. When, the memorial is finished dare you be consistent in your attitude and demand that the flags of Empire and Dominion be not used at the unveiling because they are composed of the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick ? If your reasoning is sound you ought to. The “Gazette” seems much concerned about some few non-Christians whose feelings ought to be considered. I am concerned about the great hody of Christians whose faith has been flouted. How great their proportion is all can see for themselves by the following official figures laid on the table of the House of Representatives ju'-t a.' r , r the 25th Reinforcements left New Zealand. These were the only religious statistics published in the daily press. After perusing them I trust you win agree with me that something should be done at once to remove the mdiginty that has been thru.-t upon the Christians of the comm’.m ■ Because we desire to see the memorial built this letter is offered as an (nive branch. The figures are as follows, and the proportion of followers < f the ( >'oss to its deniers is 250 to I :—
Church of England, 33,760 ; Presbyterian, 16,431 ; Roman Catholic, 8711 , Wesleyan and Methodist, 4973 ; Baptist, 882 ; Protestant, 646 ; Congregationalism 397 ; Salvationists, 272; Brethren, 140 ; Lutheran, 125 ; Mormon (Maoris), 53 ; Nonconformist, 50; S.D. Adventists, 9 ; Episcopalian, 9 ; Quakers, 7; Christadelphians, 6; Greek Church, 3; Independent, 2 ; total, 66,863. Jews, 93 ; Agnostic, 47 ; Unitarian, 39 ; Freethinkers 30 ; Atheist, 19 ; Spiritualists, 12 ; Theosophists, 12 ; Rationalists, 10 ; Hindoo, 1 ; Deist, 1 ; total, 264.
REV. J. LOWDEN, St. Andrew’s Manse.
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Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5439, 24 June 1929, Page 2
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758THE CENOTAPH AND THE CROSS Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5439, 24 June 1929, Page 2
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