New Britain herald., 1923-01-08
CLERGYMEN TAKING STAND AGAINST WAR
fedsratlOn's Plea Tor Pulpit Afeu'
 mtnts Gets Bls Response


 eengFegatians upon the subject al
 'sfhe World Crisis and Christian Re-
 sp0nsihiiiy," that responses have als
 ready been received from over one
 hundred pastors, indicating that this theme has lately been presented 10 their congregations or that Il will be
 so presented during the month Of
 January,
 From the returns received II is eNis
 dent that there Is q general movement
 among Connecticut elergymen without regard 10 denomination or location, lin favor Of more definite accept
 anee of responsibility by this nation In
 world affairs,
 The text Of the appeal follows
 Dear Brethren in the Mnistry'
 The world is confronted by most
 serious crisis, No man of thanghtfnl
 mind can blind himself 10 the dis. lintegrating forces that threaten eiyis
 ligation. It is no time for easy ops
 timism hnt for stern and resolnte facing Of facts.
 Fear World War,
 Another world war is possible, Some
 say 1t is being prepared. If it should come Il would be destructive on a scale Of hitherto unknown. II might compass the utter collapse Of modern civilization.
 l Certain 1t is that historic causes Of conflict still persist fin national rival ries and aggressive policies. These will have their inevitable issue so long as the war system remains as the court Of last appeal. This system. as the instrument Of aggression, is condemned at the bar | of public opinion. The spirit of hu- i manity denounces it as intolerabie. If i | is contrary to the fundamental prin- ciples Of our democracy. Ii violates the heart of Christianity. As men, as citizens and as Christians we seek to abolish 1t as a system and to pro- vide a proper substitute.
 .r Church Must Act.
 At such time as this the church of Jesus Christ can not be silent. Over against the system that so readily leads to war she not only urges her ideals of brotherhood for the indi- vidual but as constructive agent in human society she must promote an organization of mankind in harmony with her ideals and lending itself to the spirit of the Master.
 Civilization finds itself in default be- cause nations in their relations to each other are not thoroughly organ ized on the basis of justice and good will. Our civilization breaks down at the national boundaries. The mind of , Christ can not function fully or ef- E, Actively under the present order. ,
 Some way must be found to base all human relations. not only per- , sonai but now particularly national . on foundation where justice shall 2, be the accepted standard. The will : to good must be given a chance Z throughout the entire scale of human interests. Difference to the law of :, right inherent in man, now generally = accredited by individuals is the un- ' requirement for interna- tional stability and peace. r
 Urge U. s. Cooperation. I
 Our Christian conviction is urgent k that the United States shall find ways of cooperation with other nations to L avert the likelihood of war A per- Il nanent relation should be established b corresponding to the vital interests al- a 'eady actually involved. It is dis W leartening and unworthy of our H nation to stand aloof when the needs te ,f humanity are so pressing. lo
 We commend the proposed partici- W ,ation Of the United States in the h, court of international jus ice. We approve the informal CO., cl operation our government is now W ,iving to the league of nations along ta he lines of humanitarian interests. st Ve urge the importance of some la roperly constituted association as an w instrument of international under- landing and cooperation. We should TT ,elcome conference of nations, alled by our president, to consider rays and means of construction in
 sadly disordered world.
 We are convinced that something ID lust be done and that right speedily fa ) solve the grave and menacing prob- ao sms and to bring mankind to a new N. vel of reliance on the principles of ID, lstice interpreted in this free and ,a, pen conference and maintained by ,e, cooperation. F ,ro
 Those Who Have Spoken sc Among those who have spoken upon La 1e subject or who have indicated Sc nat they will do so are the follow w lg: Hr New Haven and vicinity: Rev. F. J. Su tephens, MontoWese; Rev. Watson l.. SCI hillips, Shelton; Rev. Roy M. Hough- da ,n, New Haven; Rev. Arthur H. on oodenough, New Haven; Rev. Will pls am l. Cousins, Ansonia; Rev. Will am G. Lathrop, Mt Carmel; Rev. eorge H. Buck, Derby; Rev. Theo- ore Wohlshorn, New Haven: Rev. F. co, Kenyon, West Haven: Rev. Charles bu Gray, New Haven; Rev. David N. da each, Jr., Guilford Rev. D. c. Dor An tester, New Haven. cIo Bridgeport and Fairfield county: su, ~ J. EdWard Harfls' NorWaik; ter ev. H. M. Dumbell, Noroton Rev 'hn W. Grainger, Rev Hal T. su, earns. Rev. William Jepson, Rev. tbe mil Berger. Rev. Robert c. Carlson, bos ev. Herbert s. Brown, Bridgeport; An ev. H. +. Cooper, Norwalk; Rev. of
 F. Kidder, New Canaan; Rev. 'ank A. Hosmer, Greenwich: Rev. - errill r. Clark, New Canaan.
 Central Connecticut: Rev. F. A. irnes, Rev. Martin Heringer. Meri- n; Rev. W. B. West, Bristol; Rev.
 P. Cutler. E. Hampton; Rev. nyzIr sr1 4 II