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The Great Peace Movement

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 19.

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The Great Peace Movement

By K. C. Russell

The second meeting of the National Arbitration and Peace Congress consisted largely of addresses of welcome from Mayor McClellan, in behalf of Greater New York, and Governor Hughes in behalf of New York State; also addresses by President Roosevelt and Elihu Root. Among other things Mayor McClellan said, “You can no more secure universal peace by resolution than you can make mankind perfect by legislation.” These are certainly noble sentiments, and should be burned into the hearts and minds of every citizen. The extent that peace is secured in this land, or in any other, will be only to that extent that each citizen will permit the principles of peace to prevail in his life. All true reform must begin with the individual.
The mayor was doubtless speaking from observation when he said that perfection could not be secured by legislation, for the repeated efforts which he has seen exerted to secure moral reforms by legislation have not proved a success. What a blessing it would be if those who are deceived into the idea that moral reforms can be produced by legislation, could be brought to realize the force of the statement made by this prominent mayor!
The address of President Roosevelt, which was read upon this occasion, was doubtless the most important feature of this session of the congress. Although the President is regarded as one of the foremost leaders in the world in the movement to settle international difficulties by arbitration, yet he made it very clear in his address that he does not believe that disarmament would be a feasible thing. The following significant paragraph voices the warning that he gave to the congress against the idea of disarmament at the present time:—
“Harm and not good would result if the most advanced nations, those in which most freedom for the individual is combined with most efficiency in securing orderly justice as between individuals, should by agreement disarm and place themselves at the mercy of other peoples less advanced, of other peoples still in the stage of military barbarism or military despotism. Anything in the nature of general disarmament would do harm and not good if it left the civilized and peace-loving peoples, those with the highest standards of municipal and international obligation and duty, unable to check the other peoples who have no such standards, who acknowledge no such obligations.”
The foregoing words from one who is familiar with the vast preparations for war which are being continually made in this and other countries, certainly does not impress one with the idea that the day is dawning when there will be war no more. The reader can imagine the impression that such statements from a recognized leader in the peace movement would make upon those in attendance at the Peace Congress.
Mr. W. J. Bryan, in a subsequent address, said, in substance, that King Edward of England is a leader in the peace movement, and at the same time England has the largest navy in the world; that in Germany, the emperor is also strongly committed to the interests of universal peace, yet Germany is burdened with its large standing army; and that in the United States, where President Roosevelt is an acknowledged leader in the interests of arbitration and peace, there exists a large navy, which is being annually increased. The speaker confessed that he could not see the consistency of some things. Indeed, these things must appeal to every thoughtful mind as strange and inconsistent; but to those who understand God's Word, they are plain and clear. The Bible plainly teaches that these contradictory conditions would exist, and they are signal illustrations of the fulfilment of God's Word.
Andrew Carnegie, the president of the National Arbitration and Peace Congress, was very pronounced in his opinion that if peace can not be secured in any other way, the nations should be policed and forced to be peaceful.
The prevailing idea throughout the entire congress was not in favor of disarmament, but for less armament. From all that one could gather from the addresses given at this celebrated congress of peace by distinguished speakers from many nations, the outlook for universal peace was not encouraging to those who had been so fondly dreaming of its consummation.
The following paragraph, from the speech of Secretary Root, does not present a very optimistic view as to the results of the coming Hague Conference, which is to convene June 15, 1907. He says:—
“Many lovers of their kind, certain that the principles which they see so clearly ought to be accepted of all men, are unmindful of the many differences which divide the nations in the competition for trade and wealth, for honor and prestige; unmindful that the selfishness and greed and willingness to do injustice which have marked all human history still exist in the world; unmindful that because of these the instinct of self-protectionengenders distrust and suspicion among the nations; and they will be sadly disappointed because The Hague Conference of 1907 does not realize their dreams and usher in the parliament of man—the federation of the world.”
It is evident from the foregoing that this great statesman is keenly conscious of the fact that those who are expecting that the coming Hague Conference will usher in the dawn of universal peace will be doomed to disappointment. He realizes full well that there is little hope for a reign of universal peace while selfishness and greed are prevailing in the hearts of men and women everywhere.
One can but feel, when he reads the accompanying statement regarding the true condition of the world, that the Holy Spirit is also impressing statesmen with the meaning of the trend of events in these most strenuous times. It is not strange that people in all classes of society are searching everywhere for peace, for they realize that this world is filled with trouble on every hand.
The people need peace; but they need teachers who will teach them where genuine peace can be found, and the conditions upon which it can be obtained. The words of Jesus should be sounded forth by his servants, that all may hear: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” The peace which Christ gives can come only with an unconditional surrender of our own will to his.
Another condition of peace is outlined in the words of the apostle Paul, found in Rom. 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” These conditions are fundamental, and can be brought about only by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of men.
The question, then, of vital importance is, Will you comply with the conditions of peace, and thus hasten the coming of the Prince of Peace, when all sin, selfishness, strife, and war will forever be over? “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found with him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
K. C. RUSSELL.