IRISH FRIENDS, PEACE, AND ENLISTMENT.
[To TER EDITOR Or THI "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The fact that since the present awful war commenced several of its younger members had enlisted in the Britisk Army caused the Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends in Ireland, held in Dublin from the 28th ult. to the 4th inst., to devote much time to anxious and prayerful deliberation on this subject, and the following minute was adopted and issued.
"[Minute 38.3—We have had before our consideration at this Yearly Meeting the great subject of Peace, presented to us, as it has been, in an entirely now and frosh aspect in consequence of the disas- trous and lamentable war now raging on the continent of Europe, and also of the fact that some of our young men, in obedience, as they conscientiously believe, not only to the call of King and Country, but also to the call of God, have seen it right in varying forms to enlist in the armed forces of the Crown. We have care- fully considered our attitude towards these young Friends, and have arrived at the conclusion that our wisest course is to accord to them the fullest liberty of conscience in what they have thought it right to do ; at the same time we fully maintain our adherence to the principles of Peace which our Religious Society has always held, and our belief that all war is contrary to the precepts and spirit of the Gospel. We would exhort our Friends not only to the upholding of our testimony against all war, when it takes the form of carnage and slaughter, but to seek to live in the spirit of our Divine Lord and Master, the Prince of Peace, towards all with whom we come in contact in the ordinary events and transactions of our daily life."
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