Wartime Counsels of Carefulness

The momentous events of the last few days, which have drawn the United States into the world war as an active belligerent, have radically altered those peacetime conditions and relationships which previously obtained. Certain freedoms and immunities of speech, press, communication, action, and transporta­tion, which in peacetime were considered nor­mal rights, are now, for military reasons, re­stricted.

Voluntary censorship is requested by the Government and is essential by the very nature of existing circumstances. All public rela­tionships are necessarily increasingly coming under governmental scrutiny and control. And all expressions that influence public morale and affect the successful conduct of the war will be subject to governmental direction.

In the very nature of the case, this pro­foundly affects onr public utterances as a religious body, particularly all published state­ments in the public press, and in periodical, book, and leaflet form. Special care should now be exercised to avoid expressions or senti­ments that could justly be construed as inimical to the interests of the country in its present situation. This is particularly needful because of our recognized position as noncombatants, with easy possibility of misunderstanding under the tension of war times.

We have, moreover, an added responsibility, because of the world character of our organization, not to preach, write, or print anything that would place our brethren in other lands in jeopardy because of unwise expressions upon our part. One unwise utterance from the pulpit, or one newspaper report, periodical article, or book chapter, or even a startling heading or title, might easily cause general restriction or suffering that would be most serious. We should seek to avoid all such incidents.

To the end of safeguarding the interests of the cause and ensuring the safety of our people, we would earnestly urge adherence by our ministers and other workers to the following guiding principles :

1. That we hold to the preaching of the positive terms of the everlasting gospel and the great fundamentals of the gospel of the kingdom that we have heralded throughout the world, both in peace and in wartimes, dur­ing our entire history, sustaining the people with sound hope and abiding confidence, and stressing the fact that "the Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His church, in His own charge." ("Testimonies," Vol. V, p. 753.)

2. That we exercise caution in all public utterances, erring on the side of conservative­ness, rather than of daring ; keeping our heads cool in times when emotional disturbance and panic may be rife ; avoiding all expressions that may rightfully be construed as weakening the hands of the Government in this hour of national crisis, and refraining from such em­phasis upon names of conspicuous leaders, warring nations, or races, as might bring per­plexity and hardship to our brethren in other lands.

3. That, while we recognize that this i§ a time in which Bible prophecy can be preached with unusual effectiveness, we exercise great care in the use of all interpretations and ex­pressions in settings that have potentialities of misunderstanding.

4. That we avoid the role of prophet, not using speculations and discussions chiefly to catch the ear—remembering that we are not prophets, but interpreters of prophecy.

5. That we unite in curbing the tendency toward the sensational and speculative in our presentations. (For example: All our min­isters should.avoid such mistakes as have been made by some who have asserted in their adver­tisements and sermons that Japan is mentioned by name in Bible prophecy, and in giving simi­lar strained interpretations to Biblical expres­sions.)

6. That before issuance, all mimeographed and printed sermons be first approved by the leadership of the local conference in which one is laboring, as a safeguarding, protective measure.—Passed by General Conference Com­mittee, Dec. 14, 1941.