A special feature of the election literature issued on behalf
of the Government has been the claim that the Budget is a
Christian or a holy Budget. This claim reaches its climax in a leaflet entitled "The National Crisis: an Appeal in the
Name of the Highest," and signed by Frederick Rogers, Harry Hinkins, Lettice A. Beale, Arnold Pye-Smith, J. Clayton Mather, Bessie M. Stead, and F. Herbert Stead. After defining the main issue as that of Lords v. Commons, the leaflet continues:-
" WHAT WOULD JESUS Do In this, as in every momentous decision, we press upon you the sacred mandate: Whether ye eat or drink,' whether you speak or write, whether you vote or pay taxes, 'or whatever ye do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.' If He were a British elector at the present crisis, it is simply inconceivable that He would support the encroachments of the Lords, or give His vote for the ascendancy of those who are promoters of facilities for drunken- ness. The House of Lords in this crisis has identified itself with the opposing force which stands in the way of the onward march of the Kingdom of God on earth. Therefore they must be fought and vanquished."
This unctuous confounding of political partisanship with Christianity will, we hope, recoil on those who profane the name of its Founder, and forget the spirit of His counseL
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