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The Present Outlook

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 24, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 40.

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The Present Outlook

By C. S. L.

WHAT effect will the present war have upon our work? I have been asked this question a hundred times since the European war began. Much might be said as to the hardships which will come to our people in Europe in a thousand different forms as the result of the war. But I shall deal specifically with the bearing this war will have upon our liberties in America.
Ex-President Taft recently said, “This war is going to set civilization back one hundred years.” Many other prominent writers have voiced the same sentiments, and no one has disputed them; it is taken for granted that this will be the case. If the wheels of civilization are to be turned back one hundred years, what bearing will such a move have upon our liberties and our freedom to preach and practice gospel principles? If in a single year it is possible to turn civilization back one hundred years, it is possible to conceive that the present backward movement may soon gain sufficient momentum so that a few years hence will find us living in days similar to those of medievalism.
The religious organizations in this country are already loudly proclaiming that the present political régime and national policies are operating upon a false political hypothesis, and that these policies are responsible for the present war. These religious organizations are tendering their good offices to sit in joint mediation when final settlement is made, and they have asked the President of the United States and the Secretary of State that earnest consideration be given to their policies for the permanent disarmament of all nations so that enduring peace may be assured. The new Pope demands the right to determine the final negotiations and settlement of the questions affecting the belligerent nations, in order that permanent peace may be insured.
Who does not see in this embroilment a new stimulus for a great “peace and safety cry” movement such as has never been witnessed before? Many are saying, “This is the last war that will ever be witnessed by the people of this earth.” By this they mean to say that in the future the church organizations will be in such absolute control over the political affairs of the nations that war will be made impossible. No doubt we shall see in the near future a great movement on foot to put the church in control of the political affairs of the nations.
The question is being asked, Why this great war and terrible sacrifice of humanity? The answer is given, False political policies are in operation. The remedy suggested is, Listen to the voice of the church, and permanent and universal peace will be assured. But the remedy which is suggested is worse than the disease. This is not a new experience which is confronting us. The same situation existed in the declining days of the Roman Empire after its disruption. The church came forward and offered the remedy. She said, “Listen to my voice and I will insure peace.” The remedy suggested is not a new one. We need not try the experiment over again to find out how it works. If you are desirous to know how it works, read the history of medievalism, and you will protest most loudly against any movement in America which proposes to follow the same course.
The student of history is not oblivious of the signs which are so ominous at present. He sees the way paved for the exaltation of the church and the subordination of rulers to her dictates. He sees the most sacred right of man, freedom of conscience, trampled underfoot. When the church reigns, persecution will lift its venomous head and hand, and the dissenter and nonconformist will be given no quarter. In the near future we shall see rapid developments in this direction as the result of the war. Let us arouse ourselves and give our Heaven-appointed message while we have freedom of action, lest even a worse affliction overtake us than that which has overtaken Europe in the present war.
C. S. L.