NATIONAL REPENTANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1939, Page 8

NATIONAL REPENTANCE

NEEDED TO SAVE CHRISTIAN CIVILISATION. MAJOR E. E. BARROW'S LECTURE. The- Masterton branch of the British Israel World Federation held a meeting last night, the speaker being Major E?E. Barrows, Wellington. The subject chosen by Major Barrows was “The Bible, The Flag, The Sword, and The Soldier." Mr G. Sykes presided. In the course of his address Major Barrows instanced the prophetic utter,ances in chapters 16 and 17 of the Book of Revelations concerning the wars spoken of before the second corning of Christ. By man's fall in the Garden of Eden, he said, sin first entered the world and death was the inevitable penalty. The breaking of Divine Laws —and the Bible contained all these laws—was responsible for the multitude of troubles that the world was facing today. On the Continent of Europe within the territory of at least three great Powers, the Christian faith was being assailed. Jews were being persecuted and a pagan form of worship allied to nationalist aims was being forced on new generations. With this onslaught on Christianity the Christian moral teachings were being supplanted by a code placing might before right and expediency before justice. In the opinion of Major Barrows, d a Christian civilisation was to survive, it was necessary that there should be an immediate return to God and His laws. Nothing short of national repentance and national redemption would save our people. An armed preparedness might delay the coming blow. It was useless crying peace to those who did not cherish the ideals of peace. God only could avert possible future disasters. The history of Israel of old showed that under God as their leader Israel had warred with heathen peoples. Man's failure down the centur - ies to conform to God’s plan for the world had made wars inevitable. In the Israel days every male from 20 years old upwards underwent military training. There were no conscientious objectors. The “faint-hearted”— those only that lacked faith in the God of Israel —were excused active service, but the Bible did not record whether they were few or large in numbers. -if Israel-Britain had recognised and carried this principle into effect there would have been an army of several million men available in 1914," said Major Barrows. “The Great War might not' then have taken place, for history records that contempt for Britain’s army in those days actually encouraged bur enemies and caused friendly nations much anxiety.”

Major Barrows then gave many interesting examples of customs of Britain’s Imperial army of today that were identical with those of the Israel of old. In the Book of Numbers each tribe was recorded as marching under two flags. Today each battalion of infantry also had two flags—the King’s colour and the regimental colour. These colours were dedicated to God’s service in a very beautiful Christian service as follows:—

“Forasmuch as men at all times have made for themselves signs and em< blems of their allegiance to their rulers and of their duty to uphold those laws and institutions which God’s providence has called them to obey, -we, following this ancient and pious custom. and remembering that God Himself led His 1 people Israel by a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day, are met together before God to ask His Blessing on these colours, which are to represent to us our duty towards our Sovereign and our country. Let us, therefore, pray Almighty God of His mercy to grant that they may never be unfurled, save in the cause of justice and righteousness; and that He may make them to be to those who follow them a sign of His presence in all dangers and distressed and so increase their faith, and hope in Him, Who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.”