Loving Your Enemy
The Church and Humanity. By G. K. A. Bell, Bishop of Chichester. (Longmans. 8s. 6d.)
THE Bishop of Chichester has collected together twenty-seven speeches, articles and sermons which summarise his attitude to the character of the war, and his views on the treatment of our former enemies. Although some of the reflections and comments of the earlier period are now out of date, the greater part of his theme is still of immediate urgency. In a genuine sense, these speeches are a confession of faith. Dr. Bell is well aware that his outlook has caused controversy, but in his preface he points out that he was never a pacifist, always opposed Hitler and is a patriotic Englishman. But he also believes in something more than patriotism, for he must pro- claim the universal sovereignty of God, and try to lead Christian people, of whatever country or tradition, to declare their spiritual fellowship, and " to work together for the Rights of God and the Rights of man." The Bishop reveals something of his own personality in a talk he gave in March, 1946, for the B.B.C. Calling for -a new effort to relieve hunger in Germany, he says, " Do not wait for an assessment of the merits of the case. Remember that justice is regu- lative' while love is creative. Do not wait until you can see your way clear through all stages." Dr. Bell thus shows himself to be a bishop unusual in fire and courage, and less concerned than is common with careful and judicious episcopal pronouncements. As far back as 1933 Dr. Bell realised the menace of Hitler. He led the way in welcoming the refugees and in encouraging German Church resistance. He was on terms of close co-operation with Dr. Niemoller. During and since the war he has done all that was possible to keep alive the bonds of fellowship with the German Churches, and his words to them are among the finest passages in this book. He spoke several times in the House of Lords, maintain- ing that there was always a clear division in Germany between the regime and great numbers of the people, and calling for the defence of the European family of nations, of which Germany was and is a member. In Chapter XVIII he describes European culture as a common force depending on four spiritual traditions—the humanist, the scientific, the legal and the Christian. It is this common culture which Hitler attacked.
As one reads over speeches delivered in the dark days of the war, one cannot but wonder whether at times Dr. Bell was not mis- informed. In 1941 be maintained that there was no general German joy in the country's triumphs. He believed that when the Allies conquered Hitler the Germans would rise against the Army and the Gestapo. In 1942 he was sure that the German Army was already losing heart in the war. When we remember the tough resistance which the Germans kept up until the end, and of the attack on this country by the VI and V2 weapons of 1944-5; it seems impossible to think that the great mass of Germany was not supporting the regime. How far was the Bishop-over-impressed with the assurances of some of his contacts on the Continent? We do not yet know.
The speeches of the Bishop show a generous and bold spirit, and represent a clearly held point of view which will carry conviction to many Christian people. Some readers will wish that Dr. Bell would occasionally show a little more sympathy for the terrific strain and long endurance of the people of Britain. There is surely a mistake on page 199. where the Bishop claims that in t944 the British people enjoyed excellent health, one of his proofs being that "the civilian death-rate for that year reached a record." No doubt he means "was
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