Seventh-Day Adventists in Time Of
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Seventh-day Adventists in Time of War Seventh-day Adventist boy decorated for 4 -o, /AL* bravery by the French government, a sym- opt "" _ bol of a large number of our youth who rendered equally as heroic service (see preface, also experience on page 232). SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS IN TIME OF WAR by FRANCIS MC LELLAN WILCOX Editor Review and Herald • "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's?' Matthew 22:2r. • REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSN. TAKOMA PARK, WASHINGTON, D.C. PEEKSKILL, N.Y. SOUTH BEND, IND. MINTED Di THE U.S.A. Copyright, 1936, by the Review and Herald Publishing Association THE DEDICATION To the Christian veterans of the great World War who, in harmony with the instructions of our divine Master, sought faithfully and conscientiously to render ((unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's," and to others in coming days who shall follow in their steps, this volume is respectfully dedicated. CONTENTS THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE . 13 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS, THEIR ORIGIN, PROGRESS, AND PRIN- CIPLES. 15 Beginning of the Movement—Work of Evangelism—Welfare Work—General Statistics—Fundamental Beliefs—Action of General Conference on Noncombatancy THE CHRISTIAN AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT . 25 Subject to the Higher Powers—Duty to God First and Para- mount—The Christian's Relation to Earthly Government— Limits of the Authority of Human Government—Render to God and to Caesar the Honor Belonging to Each—Caesar Deals With Civil Not Spiritual Matters—Loyalty to Government— Bible Examples of Loyalty to God and to Caesar—Obey God Rather Than Men THE DIVINE LAW AND HUMAN REQUIREMENTS . 35 Seven Reasons Why Seventh-day Adventists Cannot Engage in War—Should Christians Bear Arms?—Soldiers Recognize That War is Unchristian—The Character of Christ's Kingdom— Peter Ordered to Put Up His Sword—God Demands Supreme Love—Paul's Instruction to Titus—Counsel From the Spirit of Prophecy RECOGNIZED AS NONCOMBATANTS IN AMERICAN CIVIL WAR 55 Letters to the Governors of Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Their Replies—Statement From I. N. An- drews—Letters From the War Department at Washington, D.C. DELIVERANCE IN ANSWER TO PRAYER . 67 Loss of Life and Suffering Entailed by War—Distress of Na- tion—Embarrassment of Church—Appointment of Season of Prayer by General Conference Committee—Petition to Heaven That God Would Hold in Check the Winds of War in Ful- fillment of Revelation 7:3—God Answers the Prayer of His Children—The Conflict Brought to a Speedy Conclusion NATIONS ENGAGED IN THE WORLD WAR . • • • 75 Sudden and Unexpected Outbreak of Hostilities—Graphic De- scription of London Editor—War Declarations by Various Na- tions of the World With Date of Same 9 10 IN TIME OF WAR AMERICAN REGISTRATION AND DRAFT IN THE WORLD WAR . 81 Editorial Note—Law of Registration—The Draft—Necessity of Every Man's Registering—None Exempted Because of Physi- cal Condition—Penalty for Not Complying With Law—Num- ber of Men in Country of Prescribed Ages—Official Rulings Concerning the Draft—War Brides—Should the Young Soldier Marry?—Compiled Rulings of the War Department—Im- portant Changes in Draft Rules—Secretary of War Can Revoke Exemptions—Extending the Draft Age EXEMPTION IN THE WORLD WAR FOR THOSE OF NONCOMBATANT FAITH • 107 How the Exemption Provision Is Worked Out—Pronounce- ment by Seventh-day Adventists of United States Concerning Bearing of Arms—Information Regarding Exemption From Draft Duty—Information and Instructions for Persons Regis- tered—Instructions for Noncombatants—Assignment of Objec- tors to Various Lines of Work—Noncombatant Certificate— Instructions of War Department to Civil Authorities—Mode of Procedure in Presenting Claims for Noncombatant Service FOOD CONSERVATION AND PREPARING YOUNG MEN FOR NON- COMBATANT SERVICE • 135 War Demoralizes Commerce and Lessens Food Production— Church Authorities Cooperate in Conserving Food—Midsum- mer Council of the General Conference Committee—Promote Food Conservation in Periodicals of the Denomination—Work for the Spiritual Interests of Young Men in Camps—Personnel of War Service Commission—Nurses' Training in First-Aid Work—Resolutions of Loyalty and Service—Loma Linda In- stitute of Wartime Nursing OPERATION OF EXEMPTION PROVISIONS IN NORTH AMERICA • 147 Experiences of Seventh-day Adventists Drafted Into Service— Statement by Pastor C. S. Longacre—Sabbath Rulings in Army Camps—Statements by Commanders at Camp Lewis, Camp Kearney, Camp Sherman, Camp Devens, Camp Funston, Camp Zachary Taylor, Camp Pike, Camp Las Casas, and Others—A Considerate Government—Difficulties of Procedure—Govern- ment Work on Farms—Board Adjudges Sincerity—Furloughed in Groups—Respecting Sincere Scruples IN TRAINING CAMP AND ON BATTLEFIELD • 161 Experiences of American Youth—God Is Able to Save—God Heard and Answered—Treading Unknown Paths—Learning by Experience—God Guides a Young Sabbathkeeper—Letter CONTENTS 11 From W. H. Branson to I. H. Evans—True Under Ridicule— Finding God on the Battlefield—The Power of the Message— Man Proposes, God Disposes—Considerately Treated—Secured Exemption Without Difficulty—Divine Intervention—A Profit- able Experience—An Old Soldier's Story—Noncombatant Serv- ice Under Difficulties—Value of Previous Training—The Way Providentially Prepared—Proving God's Promises—Christ a Present Help in Trouble—Service in No Man's Land CHURCH INSTRUCTION TO ITS MEMBERS . 233 Keeping Up Christian Morals—An Open Letter to Young Men in Camp and Field—Our President, His Trials and Perplex- ities—Our Young Men Not Moral Cowards—Sabbath Work in Noncombatant Service—War Hospital Service—Appeal to Our Young Men—Home Letters to Soldier Boys EXEMPTION FROM BEARING ARMS IN GREAT BRITAIN • . 253 Queen Victoria's Royal Edict—Pronouncement of British Union Conference on Noncombatancy—Statement by Pastor W. T. Bartlett—How the Exemption Law Worked in Great Britain —Later Pronouncement of British Union Conference IN PRISON FOR CHRIST'S SAKE . 271 Experiences of English Youth—Granted Civilian Work— Prayers of Church Answered—Crucial Tests of Faith—Loyalty to Principle Recognized—How God Intervened—Standing Alone as Did Elijah—"Keep Clean, My Boy" MILITARY SERVICE IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND . 297 Pronouncement of Australasian Union Conference on Noncom- batancy—Adventists and the Defense Act—Granted Exemption by Australian Government—Establishing Noncombatant Status in New Zealand—Address of Pastor W. H. Pascoe Before Gov- ernment Officials—Sabbath Exemption for Adventist Soldiers in New Zealand—Recognized as Noncombatants in New Zealand—Operation of Noncombatant Law in Australasia— Statement by Pastor A. W. Anderson SOUTH AFRICA IN WAR DAYS . • 315 Defense Force Act—Letter of Brigadier▪ General Brink to Pastor J. W. MacNeil—Experience of South African Soldier in Sabbathkeeping CANADA EXEMPTS NONCOMBATANTS . 325 The Military Service Act—Militia Defense Act—Declaration of Noncombatancy by Seventh-day Adventists in 1'911—Pro- nouncement of Noncombatancy by Canadian Union Conference 12 IN TIME OF WAR in 1933--Classification of Conscientious Objectors—Preparation for Times of Crisis—Attitude of Youth Toward Military Officers—Sabbathkeeping Illustrated—Securing Sabbath Ex- emption THE NONCOMBATANT IN CONTINENTAL EUROPE . 343 Our European Brethren- and Noncombatancy—Statement by Pastor W. A. Spicer—The Storm Broke—Declaration of Prin- ciples—For the Information of Our People—Recognition of Loyalty—Experience of a German Soldier—A Good Answer— Special Grace in Trial UNDER IRON MILITARY RULE . 365 Experience in Argentina—In Prison for Christ's Sake—Con- scious of Christ's Presence—Subjected to Severe Punishment— Examined as to Sanity—Imprisoned With Criminals—Liberty at Last PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE . 381 Our Youth in Time of War—They Will Face Trying Situa- tions—Rendering Faithful and Efficient Service—Securing Sab- bath Privileges—Divine Origin of the Sabbath—Preparation for Noncombatant Service—Lines of Noncombatant Service— Medical Service and Sabbath Observance—How to Secure Training CHURCH PRONOUNCEMENTS AGAINST WAR . 397 Antiwar Sentiment Previous to 1914—Changed Sentiments of Preachers and Churches—Official Pronouncements by Protes- tant Churches—The Baptist Church—The Methodist Episcopal Church—The Congregational Church—Disciples of Christ— Protestant Episcopal Church—Presbyterian Church—Society of Friends—Statements From Prominent Leaders THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE IN answer to many requests, this book has been prepared and is now given to the public. The author claims for his production but little originality. In large part the book is a compilation from the literature of the Seventh-day Ad- ventist Church, showing the teaching and practice of the denomination through the years relative to engaging in warfare or the bearing of arms. Suffice it to say that the teaching of the church is that of noncombatancy. This was illustrated by the members of the church called to the colors of their countries in the days of the American Civil War, and during the years of the World War, particularly in the United States, Canada, England, South Africa, and Australasia. Full credit is given for all quotations from denomina- tional books and periodicals, and to several writers who have contributed original matter to the volume. The experiences of war veterans will be found particu- larly interesting, demonstrating, as these experiences do, the marked manner in which God cared for His children and so shaped circumstances that they were able to be true to their conscientious convictions, not only in the observance of the sixth commandment, but in the observance of the fourth commandment as well. It is believed that these ex- periences will be of practical benefit to others who may be called into service in years to come. As some desired their statement to appear without credit, it was deemed best to publish all in this form. In order to compass the contents of this book within as brief space as consistent, we have purposely avoided the use of illustrations, with one exception.