I assist my husband in the cataloguing of books for
sale for his on line bookstore. It is not uncommon to find old postcards, notes,
or newspaper cuttings within the books. These are interesting in themselves,
but usually end up in the rubbish bin.
I propose to give these items an opportunity to reach
a new audience by publishing them on my blog.
The book that I was cataloguing today was called
'Thinking aloud in War-time' and was published in 1939. The cuttings I found
inside the front cover relate to the topic of how a Christian behaves in war
time .
The first is dated 13/6/40 and entitled
'The Methodist Church and the War'.
'The Conference of the Methodist Church in
Ireland, assembled in Belfast, expresses its judgment on the international
conflict as follows:
1. It
is convinced that this is a war between the principles of pagan barbarism and
the ideals of the Kingdom of Christ. It realises that the authority of God is
being challenged, denied and spurned, and that the existence of human freedom,
and of those moral principles which can alone provide a foundation for true
living for men and nations, is gravely imperilled.
2. The
Conference calls upon our people in these days of stern trial to stand fast in
their loyalty to Christ Jesus, to give an unwavering witness to their faith,
and by their courage, sacrifice and prayer, to help to bring the war to a
victorious end.
3. It
urges all Methodists to continue to show themselves worthy citizens of the
Commonwealth, to assist the constituted forces of law and order, and to
exercise with wide sympathy the ministries of comfort, friendship and
encouragement.
4. It
assures the men in the Royal Navy, Army, Air Force, Merchant Navy, and the men
and women of other war services, of its appreciation of their heroic and
self-sacrificing labours, and of its continued prayers that they may be
sustained and protected in these days of ordeal. It also remembers with prayer
and sympathy those who are broken in
mind or body, all who are bereaved, separated from their loved ones, or torn
with anxiety concerning those who are in peril. The Conference also feels
deeply for many of its people who are finding business life very difficult and
trying.
5. Finally
it calls our people to prayer, to ask God for an early victory for the allied
peoples, over the power and brutal tyranny that have set this war in motion,
and to supplicate the Throne of Grace for the coming of a new world-order, in
which peace will reign, and which will be founded in God's righteousness and
justice, and in human brotherhood and goodwill.
Secondly, a letter cut from an unknown publication
dated 28/6/40, entitled 'The War and Christianity'.
Dear Sirs,
Unfortunately some eminent people have said this war is being fought for
Christianity; for this is likely to do incalculable harm not only to the war
effort but even to Christianity itself. In the hope that at least some
preachers may be deterred from repeating the cry, I ask, are the millions of
Turks and Arabs, and the Muslims and Hindus of India, to be told so? Will they
not read it as a call to a Christian jehad? At present many of them can see Britain
and France in definite opposition to international gangsterism, and are
disposed to be generous with their blood and treasure, and even the shelving of
their political aspirations, to join in the fight for the great cause of
humanity.
Christianity is only one of the religions of the peoples of this earth,
and should not claim to monopolise all that is good. It is not propagated or defended by the sword. That our esteemed President should
appear to endorse such a view, in appealing "to all who believe this war
should be fought to a righteous finish for the sake of the decencies of life
and the Christian faith", is regrettable. Perhaps the above considerations
have not been fully weighed by him.
Yours
faithfully,
Charles J. Rowe,
Richmond , Wexford,
It is worth reading these in the knowledge that the Methodist
Church in Ireland ministered across the
border to both Southern and Northern Irish congregations despite the political
differences.
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