“Let Us Do Anything Rather Than Fight”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 627, 2 April 1929, Page 9

“Let Us Do Anything Rather Than Fight”

RELATIONS WITH U.S.A. BRITISH PREACHER’S ADVICE (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) LONDON, Sunday. “We must be determined, no matter in what circumstances, not to draw the sword against Americans. Let them say and do, let them build what they like, but let us go to arbitration a thousand times and lose rather than fight. Ultimately spiritual forces will be uppermost.” This appeal for Peace was made by the Rev. R. J. Campbell at Brighton to-day after an extensive tour of the United States. “We are being consistently told on this side of the Atlantic that war between Britain and America is unthinkable. Do not believe it. It is not unthinkable,” he said. “We used to say war between the two nations was unthinkable,” he continued. “Moreover, we have already fought America twice, and another war with her will come if matters are allowed to drift as they are doing at present. “I have been dismayed at many things I have heard and read concerning America’s intention and readiness to proceed to extremities against Britain. Although there are more idealists in America thin in any other part of the world, except Britain, there is an element there which hates Britain and would welcome the thought of an attack. “Another element in America does not particularly want war, but is fully determined that America shall replace Britain as mistress of the seas. America is strong enough to succeed because she has money, whereas Britain has not.”

The Rev. Reginald John Campbell has been incumbent of Holy Trinity Church, Brighton, since 1924. He was born in London in 1867 and was educated at Bolton, Nottingham and Belfast. At an early age he taught in the high school at Ashton, Cheshire, and went from University College, Nottingham. He graduated at Christ Church, Oxford, in 1895 with honours in modern history and political science. On leaving Oxford Mr. Campbell accepted a call to a small Congregational Church in Union Street, Brighton, and quickly became famous there through his gifts as a preacher. When Dr. Joseph Parker died he was chosen to succeed him at the City Temple, London, in 1903, and became one of the recognised leaders of Nonconformist opinion. At the end of 1906 he attracted much attention by his vigorous advocacy of what he called the “New Theology,” a restatement of Christian doctrines to harmonise with modern critical views and beliefs. He published a book with this Due which gave rise to considerable controversy. In 1911 he visited America. In 1915 he retired from his ministry at the City Temple and went back to his original idea of joining the Church of England. He was ordained in 1916, when he became chaplain to the Bishop of Birmingham. From 1917 to 1921 he was vicar of Christ Church, Westminster. Mr. Campbell is the author of many religious works. In May, 1919, he received the honorary degree of D.D. from Oxford University.