Mr. Lloyd George, speaking on Wednesday at Portmadoo to a
meeting connected with the general assembly of the Cal. vinistic Methodists of Wales, defined the subjects which were, in his opinion, suitable for debate at religious conclaves. Religious assemblies, he pointed out, had a habit of seizing upon the most controversial subject that happened to be on the political tapis at the time of their meeting—the Coal Strike, Sinn Fein, Reprisals, the League of Nations. These were questions for whose just consideration a mass of evidence must be considered—evidence which assemblies of divines were not in a position to obtain. Meanwhile strife bred, and the world sickened for lack of a spiritual outlook. The most perfect machinery for peace and goodwill was in vain in the absence of a spirit of reciprocity. " The conscience of the people must be trained so that it should abhor bloodshed as a crime." Here was the task of the Churches. Mr. Lloyd George implied that the world was drifting towards chaos because this task was not being performed. It is in no vein of cynicism or hyperbole that we characterize the advice as admirable per as and perfectly suited to the occasion. The difficulty is, of course, in the application. Theologians are, in fact, among the most com- bative of human beings.
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