“FALSE WITNESSES”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 515, 19 November 1928, Page 14

“FALSE WITNESSES”

DENUNCIATION OF LIQUOR TRADE A PRESBYTERIAN’S VIEW Mr. Reuben E. Dowle, speaking at the Kohimarama Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening, dealt with this topic, taking for his text Matt, xxvi., 60-68: “At the last came two false witnesses. Prophesy unto us who is he that smote thee.” False witnessing was an ancient vice; it is also a modern one. In the time of our Lord it was much in vogue. The people of those days, warped in their national ideals, found it a suitable instrument wherewith to depreciate our Lord’s self-sacrificing work. The crucifixion of Christ was drawing near; His arrest, judgment and condemnation were swiftly passing along. No other evidence coming forward with which to condemn an innocent man who was doing a national service, false witnesses appeared. Their evidence worked out disastrously to the Christ. Cunning and sinister policy was for the moment successful. Now quite lately our nation has had to accept a national disgrace, or scandal. Continuance of the liquor traffic has been inflicted upon us. Majorities, of course, must rule, but at the same time it must be recognised that majorities are not always swayed by the best motives. It is quite clear that the continuance of a great evil has been foisted upon our boasted “God’s Own Country.” ’ We do not deny that a victory, so-ealled, has been gained, but we maintain that it has brought with it great need for national humiliation. Our country needs a moral reformation of ideals. Two generations have grown up without adequate moral standards. False witnesses have hoodwinked the people into perpetuating a known demoralising vice. A large number of people, too, have tried to quieten conscience by voting for State control. This Is simply compromising with a national evil. Foolish arguments about revenue and unemployment have been used by false witnesses to bolster up an undesirable business. The national waste of £B£ millions must inevitably produce a crop of evil results. In Holy writ we read: “Blesfeed Is the nation whose God is the Lord.” May not the reverse be equally true? We think so. A nation accepting the Atonement and all it implies is blessed because it honours God’s appointed method of purifying and saving humanity from degradation, moral corruption and possible extinction. Another blessing accruing to such a nation is that it is instrumental in making the world a better and happier place to live in. However, all lovers of mankind, all genuine patriots and all Christians must remember that though Christ suffered at the hands of false witnesses, momentarily as it were, the time is coming when every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Thus we are encouraged to wrestle against the rulers of darkness. Moral and ultimate victory is assured.