SHEDDING OF BLOOD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 330, 16 April 1928, Page 10

SHEDDING OF BLOOD

TIME FOR PACIFIC STANI CLERGYMANS PLEA 4 *!f the shedding of blood by i clergyman is held by the Chare* to which the King belongs to bt unworthy of his office, then an» other Christian may shudder r. being compelled to slay his ft low men.” This remark was made by the Rt D. D. Scott, clerk of the AucktaJ Presbytery, in a sermon preach* last, evening at Onehunga. The purpose of Mr. Scott’s sera was to define the attitude of n Presbyterian Church toward ti question of compulsory military tni* ing.

“The policy toward war of hi Presbyterian Church in New land,” said Mr. Scott, “may be sunuci up in three affirmations: the right! t conscientious objectors; the rednrt:of military activities, and the abofitai of compulsory military training.”

The preacher said that the qs-:-tion of a Christian’s duty in the qv tion of military service had be* debated from ancient times, and i stances could be given where it policy of non-resistance would fail ■ be moral. There have been ca»r entious pleas against military serr; to which no one concerned for jntic could turn a deaf ear. Both tt Roman Catholic and Aagfai Churches in the ilreat War forte their clergy to join the ranks of wc batants. They conscientiously ft jected to their clergy being c*Dp upon to shed blobd. and their ohja tion was tacitly allowed, even iu time when Britain was railing if every man to bear arms. If the sfc* ding of blood by a clergyman is Mi to be unworthy of his office, 15 other Christian may shudder at bej compelled to slay his fellow men. “To condemn a conscientious • jector from the ranks of Presbyterx membership on the ground that k 5 Church has not committed itself *

literal pacifism is to misapprehc the doctrine of liberty of conscience u set out in our standards,” said £ Scott.

The Presbyterian Church had dornothing more Than claim for its men bers who object to military serrkJ the exemption provided by the U* It had not asked for the abolition * all defensive measures. The arr» ment for universal military train# had its own appeal to common sen 1 *' Because she records her convicts against the possible militarisation * the country, that should be no reas:: for charging her with undue inter!*’ ence, misguided pacifism or visions enthusiasm. Although anything like a power:-anti-war sentiment in Christian-" had been deplorably absent from & third century of our era, and * though no age or country* sin Christianity became the religion of & Roman Empire had been serious impressed with the moral problem * war, it was high time, said Mr. Scoithat the Church took up a attitude against war. and all that nw‘l'or war. If the whole youth of the Emp-j were being trained for military pC poses, it might be rather difficult * convince another Power that ■■r

extensive preparations for defeat were any other than an implicit f°Jof aggression. Germany, without - huge military system, was safer t r she proved to be with it. “ great Power determines upon an tensive scheme of preparation, *-■ thereby invites others to riva and she may end by having a coalt formed against her. “A too evident military system fosters among youth a sense « the splendour of fighting, wne as it should be a duty in cduc tion to tell the whole truth abouwar/* The Church had not told truth yet. She had glorified pomp and spectacular phases oi and left out the horrors of it* . another war should occur, the c - must be able to say that she ga whole strength against it. jj not necessary to keep l “ e . u y o jt order. The millions of or London were kept in order dj means than force. |h»: Mr. Scott concluded by urging the Church must be interna f . her outlook and sympathies a not fail to offer her criticl * rhur fb theory of war. The Christ up°® had had an incalculable influ v ?.r----western civilisation and sne • help toward the formation t fl opinion that is utterly oP„ favou' war, and altogether earnes of peace . " “The Church will not be P» # said the preacher. “She u pfce*to be heard in her effor s the standards of the gosp® l