[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:A ,SIR, —We to whom
conscience forbids military service are quits ready to bear patiently the odium of an unpopular cause. There is, however, one taunt frequently levelled against us of so unfair a character that it seems to demand rebuttal. We are taunted with accepting on our own behalf and on that of our families the protection we will not help in giving to others. We no more accept the protection of the State than we accept its taxation If our neighbours kill Germans and say they do it to protect u we cannot prevent them. If they take portions of our income for military purposes, we are equally helpless. But it is just as inaccurate to say that we accept such action on the part of our neighbours as that a forcibly fed prisoner accepts the food crammed down his throat. We believe that the protectors themselves cause the peril they strive to stem. Had Belgium and France no army, their lands would be unravaged, their peoples unhurt. But even were it not so, even if we had to deal with foes who slew and ravaged in mere wantonness, there are those, I think, who would still put their trust in the word of Christ and not in the arm of flesh. " Not a hair of your head shall perish." Evil is powerless permanently to hurt those who trust in Cod. We cannot presume to judge our friends who read their Gospel differently. We can admire and reverence the heroic sacrifices they are making for what they believe to be the right. But we ask them to extend the like tolerance and respect to us, even though our belief be at present that of a
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