Gerhard Claas presented this resolution. Considerable discussing arose regarding the use of various words and phrases. However, MOTION was made, seconded, and carried, that the resolution on religious liberty in Spain be approved as presented by the Resolutions Committee:
(d) Professor A. T. Robertson. Reference was made to the decease of this eminent scholar, formerly a member of the Executive, and the following resolution, drafted by W. O. Carver, was adopted: —
1. We the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance in Monrovia, Liberia, July 30-August 1, 1968, are deeply concerned about the many people in the world who are presently suffering hunger and who are great need of other necessities of life. The alarming aspect of this situation is the fact that the number of those affected is growing constantly.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as we thank God for His peace that passes all understanding being unfolded by His grace in our personal lives, we pledge ourselves to work faithfully as instruments of His peace for the things that make for peace—justice, truth, and righteousness—to the furtherance of the great goal of peace on earth and good will among men.
The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of twenty-six million Baptists of many nations and widely differing cultures and ways of life and thought. It is neither within its power nor its function to direct, admonish, or rule on the internal affairs or the political or economic procedures of its constituent bodies or of their countries
The General Secretary reported at length on the situation in Rumania, and the possibilities of action by this Executive. Dr. Gill added a few words of confirmation und supplement. The Committee appreciated the gravity of the issue, and (having referred the precise terms for scrutiny by a Sub-Committee which
reported after the lunch interval) unanimously adopted the following three resolutions: —
Be it therefore resolved that we express our appreciation to Sir Donald Finnemore for his long and faithful service to the Baptist World Alliance, that we extend to him our gratitude for the portrait of Dr. Clifford, and that we request that the General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance communicate to Sir Donald Finnemore these expressions of the Executive Committee.
In view of the alarming world food situation threatening multitudes of the world’s population with famine and starvation, and recognizing the gospel mandate for Christian people to meet such urgent human need:
To give effect to the foregoing resolution (I), the Committee unanimously approved (after similar scrutiny
by the Sub-Committee) the following letter to the Minister-President of the Government of Rumania: —
The Conference Places on record its profound concern at the grave reports of persecution from which our Baptist brethren in Rumania have suffered during the past eighteen months and even within recent weeks; and calls upon the Rumanian Government to undertake a thorough investigation into the facts, and to take decisive action to bring to an end all religious persecution within its territories