For His Name's Sake.

AT the above place on April 22nd, 1916, a Conference of Lancashire brethren associated with Churches of Christ, opposed to rendering military service of any kind, was held. It was resolved to recommend to brethren of like mind in other districts that they organise themselves into local working committees, to gather information concerning brethren who were suffering, or likely to suffer, for their opposition to the Military Service Act; the object being to encourage them spiritually and to assist materially where necessary. It was arranged that the information so collected be sent to Bro. R. Price, Wigan. It was also suggested that representative brethren from each of the committees thus formed be asked to meet at a United Conference, to be held at Wigan, on June 10th, of that same year. Accordingly, a Conference representing those members of the Churches of Christ who were opposed to the European war, on the grounds that all wars are a violation of the spirit of New Testament Christianity, met at Total Abstinence Hall, Greenough Street,

under the chairmanship of Bro. T.E. Entwistle. The delegates represented upwards of 30 districts and were drawn from a wide area - Glasgow in the North, Swindon, Bristol and Merthyr in the South, and also from Leeds, Birmingham, Leicester, and Nottingham districts. Besides these, the procedings were watched by three detectives, one of whom stated that the meetings were the best and most level-headed of the kind he had attended.

The following resolutions were passed - (1) That this Conference of disciples of Jesus Christ, believing that some of our brethren are suffering wrongfully for objecting to take military service, on religious grounds, earnestly calls upon the A.M., assembled at Nottingham, to pass a Resolution requesting the Government to release all those who are confined or being punished because they cannot obey on account of their belief in Jesus Christ as Lord. And also that we suggest that the A.M. advise the Churches in the co-operation to pass similar resolutions, and forward the same to the Government, specifying any known cases of local brethren, (2) That this Conference expressed its strongest opposition to the saddling of this country with compulsory military service. It especially expresses its utmost abhorrence to the compulsion of those who are objectors to rendering military service on grounds of conscience. It further calls upon the Government to take immediate steps to end this bitter persecution, such treatment being an outrage on the individual conscience, and a menace to the best interests of the nation. That it also records its stoutest opposition to the conscription of immature boys of 18 years of age. It also records its strong protest at the transhipment of conscientious objectors to France or elsewhere, and demands the immediate withdrawal of such and that such transhipment cease. That it further pledges itself to support morally and financially (the latter restricted to members of the Church of Christ, as far as possible) all those who, owing to conscience are obliged to resist the operations of the Military Service Act, (3) That this meeting petition His Majesty's Government to immediately put into operation the understanding

given by the late Lord Kitchener, and established by an Army Order, that a soldier pleading conscientious objection as an excuse for disobeying orders shall upon his sentence being announced be forthwith transferred into the hands of the Civil power.

The Secretary's statement showed that the Churches were affected as follows:- Number of brethren prepared to resist the Military Service Act, 125. Of these 57 were single, and 68 married with a total of 101 children; while 35 stated they they would require financial assistance. Nineteen were already in the hands of the military authorities, and five had been released. The number of Lord's Day School and Church workers was 80 and 86 respectively. The Conference was overflowing with enthusiasm, and the number present far surpassed the most sanguine expectations. At the public meeting in the evening, Brethren W. Crosthwaite and T.E. Entwistle gave inspiring addresses.

The next Conference was held at Victoria Hall, Mill Hill Lane, London Road,

on August 6th, 1917, the chair being taken by Bro. George Hassell, Leicester. The recording secretary, Bro. Jack Luck, Leicester, read letters of fraternal greeting, etc. from the following:- Bro. P. Mann, on behalf of the brethren meeting as a Church of Christ in "The Settlement," Dartmoor Prison, Princetown; a group of eleven brethren at the Work Centre, Wakefield; Bro. W. Murphy, on behalf of the Church of Christ, Mapplewell; and Bro. C. Foster, on behalf of the Pacifist brethren, Manchester. These communications manifested strong faith in the ultimate triumph of the "Prince of Peace," of appreciation for help and sympathy received, and the hope

that under the Divine blessing the Conference would further the cause of peace. After the address of welcome from the Chairman to visiting brethren from various parts of the country, Bro. T.E. Entwistle read a much appreciated paper entitled: "What must be the attitude of Churches of Christ in the future towards those participating in, or condoning, war?" A healthy discussion ensued, and Bro. Entwistle briefly replied to the questions asked. The following are some of the resolutions which were carried unanimously by the Conference:-

"That this meeting of members of Churches of Christ, calls upon the Government to declare definitely for the policy of 'no annexations and no indemnities as the result of conquest,' and further calls upon them to seek to enter into negotiations at once on this basis."

"That this meeting of members of Churches of Christ regards with abhorrence the brutal treatment meted out to some of the Conscientious Objectors, and calls upon the Government to release all such, both from military control and from prison, as the only way in which the constant repetition of such brutalities can be avoided. And we further express our dissatisfaction at the manner in which even the Home Office Scheme is being worked in many cases, and suggest that the only satisfactory way in which all these cases can be met is to grant the total exemption the law provides for them."

"That the foregoing resolutions to the Government also be sent to the Reference Committee asking them to place the same before the annual meeting" (assembled in Leicester).

To the Annual Meeting:-

"That this meeting of members of Churches of Christ strongly resents the action of the Committee responsible for investing money in War Loan as per page 53 of Year Book, and demands the withdrawal of same and the avoidance of any such investment in the future."

another and know just how each one is faring. This applies particularly to the brethren employed by the Home Office Committee, and to those engaged on work of National Importance in various parts of the country under the Pelham Committee."

(B) "That we communicate with the brethren in other lands who are making a similar stand during this great world conflict."

"That this Conference sends a message of encouragement to all brethren who are suffering for conscience sake, either in prison or engaged in work under the Home Office Scheme."

A successful Conference was closed by a sincere vote of thanks to all brethren who had taken part.

The third united Conference took place on the 31st March, 1918, at the Sunday School Memorial Hall,

with Bro. J.T. Taylor in the chair. After the usual preliminaries Bro. W. Crosthwaite read letters of apology and encouragement from absent brethren, and it was resolved that the secretary reply to the kind sentiments expressed. The chairman welcomes to the conference visiting brethren from Nuncargate, Birmingham, Bristol, Swindon, Dewsbury, Dalton-in-Furness, and Glasgow.

Bro. Jack Luck's report concerning the correspondence with brethren suffering for conscience sake was adopted and he was requested to convey the gratitude of the conference to all brethren concerned for the noble stand they had taken.

A highly appreciated Conference Paper was read by Bro. R.K. Francis, entitled:

"What should be the immediate attitude of the Anti-War brethren to the present Co-operation of Churches of Christ?"

A dozen brethren took part in an animated discussion and Bro. Francis replied to the questions raised.

Included in the resolutions carried unanimously by the Conference were the following, the first of which was sent to the Prime Minister and local Members of Parliament.

"That this meeting of members of Churches of Christ in Great Britain desires to impress upon His Majesty's Government the importance and urgenty of entering into Peace negotiations, in the name and cause of humanity and Christianity."

"That a Peace Conference be held during the Annual Meeting week and that a Committee of four brethren be invested with full powers to arrange for the Conference."

Accordingly, the fourth Conference was held in the Central Hall, Corporation Street,

on August 5th, 1918, when Bro. F.J. Gould presided over an interested and enthusiastic gathering. Bro. B.S. Clissold (now residing in Canada) was adopted as recording secretary. Addresses of a vigorous and outspoken character relating to the Church's message and mission for today with regard to: "The great ideals of Jesus of individual duty and public policy" were delivered by Brethren T.E. Entwistle and W. Crosthwaite. The causes and consequences of war, and the folly and futility of expecting to solve the problems created by any other method than the method of Christ, were faithfully set forth.

The remainder of the time was devoted to consideration of reports from Bro. Jack Luck,

as to the work being carried out in the interests of brethren who were steadfastly opposing the spirit of war, and refusing to participate in military service; from Bro. G. Hassell as to the administration of the Central Fund for relief of dependants of C.O.'s; from Bro. A.E. Smith (secretary of the Birmingham Group) concerning the many and varied activities conducted from that centre: and other brethren as to work in various directions, all with the one object in view, namely, the supporting of those who were already making the great sacrifice in endeavouring to overcome the war spirit which possessed both the world and Churches, so that others may be encouraged to fight the good fight in like manner, if, and when called upon.

The principal resolutions which were carried with acclamation were as follows:-

"That the Secretary be asked to write a letter of thanks to Bro. Jack Luck for the valuable help he had rendered by corresponding and keeping in touch with brethren in different parts of the country who were suffering for their loyalty to their Lord in refusing military service."

The next resolution was sent to the Prime Minister, The Home Secretary, and the Local Members of Parliament:

"That this Conference of Peace brethren associated with the Churches of Christ who have met in Birmingham, calls upon His Majesty's Government to release the men who are serving sentences with hard labour in prison, because of their allegiance to a higher law than that of the State. Many of them are serving their third or fourth sentence because they have remained true to their convictions that all war is wrong. This should be sufficient proof of the sincerity of their conscientious objection and should entitle them to the absolute exemption which the law provides."

The conference closed with fervent prayers on behalf of our absent brethren in prison and work centre, for the many sufferers in the belligerent countries and for the rulers of the nations that they might be brought to realize their responsibility to the Great Father of mankind so that peace might be restored to this distracted world.

Thus ended the last Conference held under war conditions by those who, not being called upon personally to suffer publicly, tried in those meetings of delegates drawn from groups in various parts of Great Britain to do what they could constitutionally to lighten and shorten the period of persecution for those of our brethren who made the great venture and risked all for "The Way" they believed right. How far they were successful will never be known but the remembrance of what these Conferences meant to the participants in those terrible times; the loving fellowship with kindred spirits in the midst of so much that was antagonistic to Christian ideals will remain as long as memory lasts.