BRITISH ISRAEL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 255, 25 September 1940, Page 5

BRITISH ISRAEL.

HISTORY AND THE BIBLE,

Under the chairmanship of the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) a large and representative gathering of tue citizens of Palmerston North attended the Meteor Theatre on Sunday afternoon to hear an address on “God’s Great Plan, : Yesterday—To-day—and To-morrow,” by Major E. E. Barrows, the national secretary of the New Zealand branch of the British-Irael World Federation.

In 'his introduction of the speaker the Mayor stated that in the difficult and dangerous times through which we were passing the minds of people were turning to the teachings of the Bible for inspiration and comfort. In the preamble to his address the speaker state-d that the British-Israel movement was not antagonistic to the Christian Churches, nor dis it seek to usurp the recognised functions of the Christian ministry. It advocated no racial superiority; rather did it regard the Empire as a sacred trust from Almighty God. It was to use its influence and its material possessions for the benefit of the whole world—irrespective of colour, creed, or race.

‘‘ln the carnage we are witnessing in Europe, Asia, and Africa to-day, we are seeing the results of national politics and doctrines directly contrary to the fundamentals of righteousness and justice as laid down by God in His Holy Word,” said Major Barrows. “It is the inevitable result of man’s .continuous violations of the Divine Laws —a proceeding which has, * for nearly 5000 years, drenched this earth with blood, has filled it with greed, envy, and hate, and brought death, suffering, and sorrow to countless millions.” .

The speaker dealt with Biblical history and gave a review of English and Continental history from-the Crucifixion to our own times, showing the rise of the Gentile dictator Powers foretold in the Book of Revelation Each of these dictator Powers had been preceded by a revolution of the people, overthrowing kings and constituted authority, as was the case with Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco, until to-day. the very Christian foundations of our civilisation were threatened as never before in history. ' _ History showed that despite our imperfections as individuals and as a nation, Britain had striven and was still striving, to lead the world onwards and upwards. Before we were a truly acceptable people in God’s sight, evil, whether it was in our national, social, civic, economic, or family life, must be purged from our midst. If we had inherited great gifts—and we were, from a material point of view, more greatly blessed in this direction than any other nation—we had also inherited great responsibilities. This was part of God’s great plan. Our slogan for to-day must be “Back to God, in humbleness and supplication.” There was no arrogance in believing that God was using a chosen nation, Britain, .for the purposes of His great ; plan, but there was great, significance in that, of all the nations of the world,: our .Christian Commonwealth of Nations was, also single-handed, facing the onslaughts of a combination of Powers sworn to world domination maintained by the god of force. The, challenge was directed against Britain; but it was aimed at God. The second coming of Christ would see the final 'overthrow of these forces and the culmination of God’s great plan.