THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1915, Page 8

THE WAR.

To the Editor. Sir,—l should like to draw attention to what I am convinced is the supreme duty these sad days. Day after day we scan our newspapers to find signs o't coming victory for the Allies, and each day we turn away with a sigh and say, "To-morrow, perhaps." Sir, I believe victory cannot come until the people desiring it have gone on their knees before God in humble confession of sin. I believe victory lies in-bur hands. When we, as nations, truly turn to God, so soon will the tide of battle turn. I cannot but believe that tliis awful war is chastisement of unfaithful nations. The hands of the Allies are not clean from past sin. England, the greatest Christian nation on earth, cannot forget her Iniquitous opium traffic, whereby she enrlched herself at the expense of the souls and bodies committed to her care. She cannot forget her callous indifference to the piteous appeal for help in past days, from the persecuted Christians in the Balkan regions. Is it a coincidence that this war ostensibly started In those very regions' France cannot forget lier ruthless persecution of the Christian Church, her treatment of Christian schools, hei death rate higher than her birth rate. Belgium—we weep for the atrocities done by her on the Congo. Russia, great and devout nation, we cannot forget her horrible persecution' of God's own chosen people. "Touch not mine anointed," yet she has touched, and she, as others, must pay the penalty. Now, until the nations repent of these, and tnany other sins, it is vain to look for victory. And what of New Zealand, "God's own country"? We must not forget the contemptuous, almost insolent disregard of God, His Church and ordinances that characterises vast numbers of pevple.

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