Milford chronicle., 1924-05-23
THE METHODIST BISHOPS SPEAK OUT

The Methodist Church boasts of the largest member
ship of any Protestant Church in this country. 1t is
lgious organization in which the administrative head
very definitely the feeling of the millions of
bers Therefore when Bishop Joseph F. Berry, of thi
CITY, the opening session of the general
ence sitting in Springfield Mass to read the bishops
address, countless tuned into hear what these reg
ous leaders might have to say concerning certain grea
issues of the times.
Bishop Berry speaking for the entire episcopate, d
not keep his hearers waiting long After brief review
conditions, he struck out the subject of fighting HI
said
First, that evermore we shall set ourselves as ada
mant against Accepting we do the ethics and
program of Jesus Christ, can do less? Offensive
state of mind. It is the law of the jungle. 1t
is brute force let loose 1t is vautng ambition 1t is
grasping greed. 1t is organized revenge. It is mar
shaled hate. 1t is dabolism incarnate.
The very thought of another in Europe or
elsewhere with the employment of recent inventions
for the swift destruction of human life, should shock
us into instant action.
The Church of Jesus Christ must never again
quietly acquiesce in national international policies
which promote warlke tempers and attitudes 1t must
do more than mildly protest. The whole strength of
the United Church Christ must be thrown with
pelng against warlke policies and preparations
Our position must be that international warfare,
less ndispuaby in selfdefense in defense of hui
many, is a monstrosity of the pagan past which has
absolutely proper place in the program of the mod
world.
Second, must resolve to give aid upon scale
of greatly enlarged munifcence to the bewidered
millions beyong the seas. This should be the fixed
policy of the Christian Church. We must bear one
anOthers burdens in much larger way than we have
yet attempted if we shall fulfill the law of Christ
But this should be the policy of a Christian re-
public we'll Does the attitude of national isolation
which certain of political leaders assume really
people One frank exponent of that policy said not
long in public address. "The moral ideals of the
were all right in their time and place. They serv-
ed the hopes energies and endurance of the common
masses throughout the struggle. They enabled us to
win the victory. But that the victory is won let
us forget possible those ridescent dreams
and turn to practical affairs"
By practical affairs" we suppose he means selfish
exclusiveness commercial aggrandizement, and pol
icy which, ignoring moral obligations, seeks to ad-
the material interests of the United States with
out regard to its effect upon the aspirations morale
and wellbeing of the other peoples of the earth Does
not such proposition ignore the fact of human broth
erhood, nulfy the Golden Rule and utterly misrepre-
sent the impulses and convictions of great Christian
people? Can hold aloof with careless indifference
or sordid selfshness and keep our conscience?
The United States of America holds strategic
position in crisis hour. Our resources are vast Our
people have passion for the dominance of democracy
Our sympathy for the oppressed is writ
ten in history. Without assuming entahgling alli-
ances of a political military nature, obligations
1ut of harmony with the best ideals of the fathers of
he republic, shall not give that strong and nspir-
atona leadership which is essential to the social
md spiritual regeneration of the world? Shall we not
lold our ncalculabe resources material and moral in
rust for the world brotherhood?
We believe profoundly that the United States of
America should cooperate with other nations of
in brin cir ahou
eace NWe therefore, give hearty Endorsement to
he proposition that country shall become a mem
er of the permanent court of international justice
md it is our firm conviction that all nations should
gree to submit to impartial tribunals all disputes that
hreaten the peace of the world which cannot be
djusted by the usual processes of diplomacy
These bishops not blind to strictly national needs
y no means Here is what their spokesman had to say
he prevalent drift from farm to city:
Is there anything more remarkable in our modern
fe than the growth of the American city?
We were rural folk until half a century ago. We
re now nation of city dweIlers Fifty years ago we
ad fortyve cities each of which had population in
lie neighborhood of 10000 people. Now we have 2S5
lch cities One-tenth Of population lives in the
ree cities of New York. Chicago and PHILADELPHIA
These startling figures should compel us to stop
I'D think. What do they mean? And how shall we
apple with the tremendous problems which they
rec upon us? Are the activities of the Protestant
iulCH heepluS pace WIN InlS extraordinary city
'owth? And are we creating moral and spiritual
mosphere into which these increasing multitudes
ay and find security?
The village and countryside yield up hundreds of
ousands of their best young men and women each
ar to swell the cy's population Are we holding this
ung life to its high ideals and it's former rectude of
e? heavy proportion of our foreign immigration
es not go into rural regions where it is most need
but is swallowed up in the whirlpool of downtown
y life Are the agencies of moral restraint and res
at all adequate to meet this perfectly tremendous
legation? II
These are only gmpses at the address but thew show
the Methodist mind is trending IE