Military Service

Levin Daily Chronicle, 9 August 1917, Page 2

Military Service

A QUAINT SUGGESTION. (Manawatu Times). Giving evidence before the militaryservice board on Tuesday, Robert David Rolston, dairy farmer, -Levin, stated he was 24 years of age, and was married in 191 G. He had 100 acres Maori leasehold. He milked twentyfive cows. His twin brother was in partnership with him, and milked 25 cows also. He had six other brothers. He bad religious objections. The Chairman: To what 'religious body do you belong? Appellant: I am a child of God. The Chairman: But to what sect or denomination do you belong? Appellant: The Church of the First Born Written in Heaven. The Chairman: Yes, yeis; but what is the name of the religious body you belong to? are you a Protestant, a Catholic, or what is it? Appellant: I am a registered individual with the registered body in, heaven. The Chairman: Where do you meet? Appellant: I gather with the socalled Brethren. The Chairman: Are you one of the '.Brethren? Appellant: I am part and parcel of the body of Christ. The 'Chairman then pointed out to appellant that his objection on religious grounds could not be upheld, as the body with wlyich he worshipped did not hold that it was unlawful to take up arms. Appellant: That does not remove my responsibility! Tilie Charftnan: Do sou know there is sanction for fighting in the Bible? Appellant: Yes, in the Old Testament. But that was under the law. Wo are now under the grace. The Bible says "Beat your swortfe into ploughshares. 1 ' The Chairman: It also says "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth!" However, you do not come under the clause in the Military Service Act. Appellant: I come under clause 44, sth chapter of Matthew's Gospel! The Chairman : Are you prepared to take up non-combatant service? Appellant: I am prepared to go into the ambulance on certain conditions. The Chairman: What are the conditions ? Appellant: The condition is that I go as a free man, and not under military control. Christ went about as a free man healing the sick, tut not under military authority. I will go as he went. Mr J). McLaren: You are prepared to go as long as you can lay down your own conditions? Captain Walker: You base you'r objection on the Scriptures, which you folow so literally. Can you tell me if you have followed Christ's injunction *to sell all you have and give it to the poor? Appellant: The Bible says Captain Walker: Have you done so -yes or no? Appellant: No. The Board reserved its decision.