War and a Revival of Religion by Francis M. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 7, 1915

War and a Revival of Religion

By Francis M. Wilcox

WILL the present conflict in Europe bring about a revival of religion in the Eastern Hemisphere? This some writers would have us believe. A Paris correspondent of the London Times writes that one result of the war has been a distinct revival of religion in France. The Times declares editorially:—

No feature of the war has been more striking than the religious feeling it has evoked. We shall be surprised if the war and the pro-spiritual emotions it has kindled are not attended by a quickening and deepening of the religious feeling in England as well as France.

Prof. August Lange of the University of Halle, in Germany, writing to a correspondent in this country, says:—

The churches are full and overflowing as they have not been for decades. Religious sentiment, which seemed to have been among the masses, has taken on a new lease of life.

A tourist who has recently returned from Russia declares:—

The land is alive with religious zeal, the people of all classes and both sexes flocking to the churches with every evidence of earnest devotion.

It is not strange that such feelings should be awakened under the influence of the stress of the times which have fallen upon Europe. Naturally in hours of danger and distress the minds of men turn toward a higher power, and they reach out to lay hold of something more stable than the changing things of this world. Such a revival of religious feeling we are told swept over the United States, both North and South, at the time of the great Civil War. Time proves the test of the genuineness of such religious awakenings.

God stands ready to bless mankind whenever and under whatever circumstances they turn to him. We doubt not that amid the terrors of earthquake, the roar of the tornado, the peril of the ocean storm, he has heard many cries which have ascended to him, and some undoubtedly under these conditions have found God. But the lull after the storm has afforded the time of testing. With the great multitude, God was forgotten in hours of peace. Some have emerged from scenes of danger and disaster to follow on to know more perfectly the One who revealed himself to them in their distress. Let us pray that such may be the experience of many who are reaching out toward God in the troubled regions of the great political upheaval in the Eastern world. F. M. W.