The Peace-and-Safety Cry by Frank M. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1916

The Peace-and-Safety Cry

By Frank M. Wilcox

A “League to Enforce Peace”

When the present conflict is over, and the nations of men lay aside the implements of war and take up again the pursuits of industry, will the peace of the world be maintained through peace treaties and international arbitration? This is the fond hope of the peace propagandists. Many movements in behalf of world peace and of international arbitration have been started. Since 1843, when the first international congress was convened, more than two thousand international meetings have been held. Eight hundred of these have fallen within the last ten years prior to 1910. Growing agitation has been carried on in both religious and political circles. In consequence today we have in the United States such societies as the Church Peace Union; the Commission on Christian Education of the Federated Churches of Christ in America; the World Alliance of Churches for the Promotion of International Friendship; the International School of Peace, established by endowment of Edward Ginn; the Carnegie Peace Foundation; and numerous other societies and organizations which have the maintenance of peace by international arbitration or total disarmament as the purpose of their existence. Many similar societies exist in Europe.

Perhaps The Hague conferences have approached the nearest to the accomplishment of these purposes of anything thus far set in operation. At the conference held in 1907 forty-four powers were represented, and it was voted at that time to favor the creation of “an international court of justice with judges always in service and holding regular sessions,” but for various reasons this decision has never been carried out.

Obstacles to Success

It has been generally recognized that one great obstacle in the way of the success of international arbitration has been the apathy or indifference on the part of the public to the real demands of the situation, and it has been felt that the only way in which this great object could be ultimately achieved would be through the avenues of education and agitation carried on among the masses throughout the civilized countries of the world. This was the prompting motive in the organization of the latest and perhaps the most influential peace propaganda which has arisen on this side of the Atlantic. We refer to the “League to Enforce Peace.”

This league was organized in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, June 17, 1915, with ex-Pres. William Howard Taft as president. About three hundred attended this initial gathering. These included statesmen, editors, educators, churchmen, jurists, scientists, and others.

Principles of the League

The following statement of principles was adopted as the platform:—

“We believe it to be desirable for the United States to join a league of nations binding the signatories to the following:—

“First, all justifiable questions arising between the signatory powers, not settled by negotiation, shall, subject to the limitations of treaties, be submitted to a judicial tribunal for hearing and judgment, both upon the merits and upon any issue as to its jurisdiction of the question.

“Second, all other questions arising between the signatories and not settled by negotiation, shall be submitted to a council of conciliation for hearing, consideration, and recommendation.

“Third, the signatory powers shall jointly use forthwith both their economic and military forces against any one of their number that goes to war, or commits acts of hostility, against another of the signatories before any question arising shall be submitted as provided in the foregoing.

“Fourth, conferences between the signatory powers shall be held from time to time to formulate and codify rules of international law, which, unless some signatory shall signify its dissent within a stated period, shall thereafter govern in the decisions of the Judicial Tribunal mentioned in Article I.”

The organizers of the league recognized that the nations of themselves, with their racial animosities, could never be brought to a place where of their own volition they would refrain from war; hence the name “League to Enforce Peace.”

In the announcement of its organization the following explanatory statement is made regarding the plan for its future work:—

“It is not proposed finally to restrain nations from going to war, if they are determined to do so, nor to bind them to comply with any decision a judicial tribunal or a council of conciliation may make; but merely that before they resort to arms, thereby disturbing the social fabric and the order of the whole world, and inflicting irreparable injury upon neutrals, they shall state their case before an impartial body and before the world, and give time to have it considered on its merits.

“If the controversy is of a nature which can be settled by the principles of law and equity, it is proposed that it shall go before a bench of judges. If it is one which can be adjusted only by mediation and compromise, it is suggested that it shall be referred to a mediation board. In comparison with projects for a world state, it is a short step in advance that is urged; but it is one which is believed to be attainable, and which, if adopted, would make war extremely improbable.”

Marshaling the Forces

Since this initial gathering, an active propaganda in behalf of the purpose of the league has been carried forward. This culminated in the call for the first annual convention, which was held in Washington, D. C., May 26 and 27. Nearly one thousand delegates were in attendance. President Taft presided at all the meetings.

The hearty accord of some of the government officials with the work of the league was indicated by their presence at the league banquet, held the evening of the last day of the convention. President Wilson sat at ex-President Taft’s right, and Vice President Marshall at his left. Others at the table were President Lowell; Judge Alton B. Parker; former Secretary of War Jacob M. Dickinson; Secretary McAdoo; Secretary Baker; Postmaster-General Burleson; Attorney-General Gregory; Secretary Houston; Senator Lodge; Senator Stone; Jacob H. Schiff; Alexander Graham Bell; Lyman J. Gage, former Secretary of the Treasury; and Secretary Wilson.

Men occupying high positions in the business, educational, industrial, religious, and political worlds were in attendance at the convention, and heartily approved the work of the league. R. G. Rhett, of Charleston, S. C., president

of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, and Edward A. Filene, of Boston, member of its board of directors, spoke for the three hundred and fifty thousand business firms and corporations composing the membership of the chamber. “A referendum recently sent out by the national chamber to subsidiary bodies, asking their opinion as to the beliefs and purposes of the league, resulted in a vote of approval of ninety-six per cent, and a smaller but far above majority vote for the enforcement of peace by war if necessary.” Such men as Pres. A. Lawrence Lowell of Harvard, and Pres. Benjamin I. Wheeler of the University of California, voiced their approval of the league in behalf of the cause of education. Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor represented the world of industry. Hamilton Holt, editor of the Independent, gave to the league his hearty indorsement. Dr. Shailer Mathews, president of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, represented the forces embraced in this great religious federation. Theodore Marburg, former minister to Belgium; Oscar S. Straus, former ambassador to Turkey, and a member of The Hague Court; and Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, expressed words of hearty commendation of the principles for which the league is working.

President Wilson’s Address

President Wilson, on account of his official position, was unable to discuss directly the principles of the league as such. He did express, however, his great desire for the formation of such an arrangement among the nations as would insure future peace and the referring of all questions of dispute to some international court of arbitration. The Independent says of the President’s speech: “With this high indorsement—this almost official indorsement—of its principles and purposes, the League to Enforce Peace takes a commanding position among organized plans for the securing of international peace.”

The purpose enthusiastically and earnestly to carry on a campaign of education was perhaps shown in no more tangible way than in the response of the delegates to the call for financial support. The delegates responded to a request for $300,000 by raising nearly $400,000 in cash and pledges. This will be used in a great educational propaganda. It is felt that the success of this movement will be realized only by the creation of public sentiment to the extent that representations to the world will carry with them the force attending the expressed will of the whole American people. For ultimately it is hoped that this will be done, and that before many months definite representations will be made to the nations of Europe in consonance with the league’s program.

Honest and Sincere Men

One could not listen to the enthusiastic speeches given during this convention, as it was the privilege of the editor to do throughout, without being impressed with the earnestness and sincerity of the men engaged in this propaganda. We believe that they are actuated by noble purposes, and no doubt their efforts, the same as the efforts of similar movements, will do much to ameliorate the suffering of humanity. If such movements were left to operate within the field of political activity, unencumbered by other alliances, we could indeed wish them Godspeed in the fullest realization of their hopes, for surely the settlement of international differences by arbitration is an object to be devoutly desired by every lover of peace.

Entangling Alliances

Unfortunately, however, in such movements religio-political reformers are quick to recognize opportunities and avenues whereby their propaganda may be advanced and their ideals realized. In such unholy alliances lies great danger to both the church and the state. That such an alliance will take place between some of these great international peace movements and these religio-political reformers we sincerely believe. The great professed but worldly Christian church will play a leading rôle in the peace moves of the future. Indeed, it is part of its definite policy to do this. Several brief statements from some of the announcements of these church peace societies will suffice to indicate their purpose:—

The World Alliance of the Churches for the Promotion of International Friendship announces the following as a part of its “concrete program:”—

“International action providing for—

“An International League of Peace.

“A World Supreme Court.

“The submission of all international disputes to the World Supreme Court for judicial settlement or to Boards of Arbitration or of Conciliation, before resort to war.”

It teaches that Christ’s principles are applicable to nations as well as to individuals, and declares as its basis of operation,—

“In formulating the principles on which to base international relationships, the first which must be insisted upon is that Christ’s principles should rule states equally with individuals. . . . The eternal principles of right and wrong must govern the action of states as well as of individuals, and it is the duty of Christian men to discover a means whereby these principles can be enforced so far as human imperfection allows.”

The leaflet of this alliance from which we have quoted states: “This peace- peace-makers’ movement is indorsed by the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America and by the Church Peace Union.” Hence we must consider all three of these religious peace societies as working in hearty accord for the principles stated above.

A pamphlet entitled “International Peace: A Study of Christian Fraternity,” published by the Commission on Christian Education of the Federal Council of the Churches, teaches that the principles of federation should be applied not alone to churches but to states, and the settlement of all questions of international dispute by arbitration is strongly advocated. Says this pamphlet, “The federation of states is the most direct means for securing international justice,” and proceeds to amplify this statement by suggesting ways and means by which this may be accomplished.

Dr. Shailer Mathews, president of the Federal Council of the Churches, in his speech at the league banquet expressed his recognition of the common object for which the league and the church federation were working. He said, in substance, that “international morality had never been tried. The league would attempt to try it, and he hoped the Lord would prosper the league in its endeavors. If the churches have something at stake in the success of the league, the league has something at stake in the success of the churches. All reformers would succeed if it were not for some folks who oppose them. It is the business of the churches to educate this kind of folks.”

Similarly the Church Peace Union is engaged in the same propaganda for the accomplishment of its aims. In a pamphlet “After the War, What?” by Irving Fisher, issued by the Church Peace Union, is advocated the need of an international government. The author feels that the machinery of such a government must involve “a code of justice to render decisions on international disputes and a military or police which shall enforce the decrees.” “To secure this result we must substitute for the crude idea of balance of power the idea of pooling of power. The power of pool must exceed the power of any individual nation,” etc.

James Cardinal Gibbons, in a pamphlet, “The Church and International Peace,” issued by the Church Union, similarly expresses his confidence in the purposes for which the union is laboring:—

“Let us, finally, cherish the hope that the day is not far off when the reign of the Prince of Peace shall be firmly established on the earth, and the spirit of the gospel will so far sway the minds and hearts of rulers and of cabinets that international disputes will be decided, not

by standing armies, but by permanent courts of arbitration; when they will be settled not on the battle field, but in the halls of conciliation, and will be adjusted, not by the sword, but by the pen, which is ‘mightier than the sword.’”

Thus we see that the religious peace societies are working with the political peace propagandists for the accomplishment of their united hopes in securing the settlement of international questions by arbitration or by international court.

Will the Peace Propaganda Succeed?

Will these great national and international movements in behalf of peace succeed? Whether this particular League to Enforce Peace will ever succeed we do not know, but we are warranted by the Scriptures of truth in believing that at some time in the history of the world some peace movement will in a measure succeed in the accomplishment of its designs. We are confirmed in this belief by the prophecies found in the fourth chapter of Micah and in the second chapter of Isaiah.

Many People Shall Say

Says the last-named prophet:—

“It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Verses 2-4.

Observe carefully that the prophet does not represent the Lord as giving expression to these words, but he declares that in the last days “many people” will be found saying this. In other words, the prophet states that in the last days there will exist a great peace movement similar to those we see today; that this movement will have for its object the exaltation of the “house of the Lord” to the “top of the mountains,” or the governments of earth.

But note also that in this same prophecy a sad picture is presented of the conditions which actually exist in the world, notwithstanding this high profession of the church. The prophet declares that God has forsaken his people; that the land is full of idols, and that men in place of worshiping the Creator worship works of their own hands; and that because of this God will cause the lofty looks of men to be humbled, and the haughtiness of men to be bowed down: “for the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.”

What the Lord Says

We turn now to another prophecy and read there the conditions which the Lord declares shall actually exist in the closing days of earth’s history. Many among the nations have fondly hoped that through treaty and arbitration all international disputes might be forever settled; that the recognition of Christ as king and his law as the rule of moral conduct for the nations as well as for man would insure peace and tranquillity; but the Scriptures recognize that man cannot be made righteous by legal enactment, and that the human heart can be changed only by the regenerating power of God. The pent-up passions of human nature, held in check for a season, will break forth in volcanic eruption. Racial animosities held dormant for a time will again assert themselves. The momentary truce of peace will be broken, and again the nations will be plunged into war and bloodshed. Declares the prophet Joel:—

“Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. Let the heathen be awakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down: for the press is full, the fats overflow: for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” Joel 3:9-16.

These are the two pictures which the prophetic word brings before us,—one the picture of the peace-and-safety cry, the other the sad ending of the efforts of men to save themselves.

The Hope of Church Federations

What do the church federations and peace societies hope to achieve? We answer, The realization of their ideals of Christian government. They believe in national morality and that nations may be made righteous by the enactment of moral laws. In the very nature of the case, the standard of morality adopted by the nation must be enforced upon the individual subjects of the nation. Dissenters must be counted as law-breakers. The inevitable result will be persecution.

Says Shailer Mathews, in speaking of the fraternity of nations,—

“National morality cannot be far in advance of individual morality.”—“Selected Quotations on Peace and War,” compiled and published by the Commission on Christian Education of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, p. 394.

Of the federation’s ideal of world government this same writer says:—

“When so-called Christian nations really become Christian nations, they will not go to arbitration courts simply to get what they can out of the decision. They will rather say, ‘Now, gentlemen, tell us what is right; tell us what is justice; and if your decision is against us, we shall rejoice that justice is being done even though our claims are not met.’ That is the ideal toward which we are moving. As we socialize this spirit of altruism that costs something, we shall legalize it, nationalize it, internationalize it. And we dare have this great hope, . . . that the universal prayer is to be answered that God’s kingdom shall come and that his will of love shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.”—Id., p. 413.

We cannot discuss at greater length in this connection this phase of the question. More will be said about this at another time.

It is the hope of the church peace propagandists, as it is the aim of the National Reform Association, to enthrone Christ not alone as the ruler of one nation, but as the ruler of all nations, and his law as the standard of jurisprudence. But church federation will not be confined to Protestantism alone. There will come a time when the space separating Protestantism and Catholicism will be bridged. Protestantism will reach her hand across this gulf and grasp the hand of Rome. In this union will be achieved in a large measure the hope of those who have been working so assiduously for years for the success of their religio-political ideals.

Roman Dominance

That such a federation will be consummated, that the great Christian church will secure in the last days the power of the state in the enforcement of her demands, and that the papal power will be a dominant factor in this consummation is evident both from the study of the prophetic forecast (Revelation 13, 17) and from the trend of current events.

In the present great conflict, as in many crises of the past, the Papacy poses as the world’s peacemaker, and longs to play this rôle. And this idea is urged not alone by Romanists, but is seriously set forth as most practicable by leading ministers of the Protestant church, as we have before shown in these columns. The Scriptures of truth plainly indicate that once more before the end of time

the governments of earth will turn toward this great ecclesiastical power. Says the Revelator, in speaking of the nations of men, “These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” Rev. 17: 13.

And when the church achieves her object, what then? Then will she lay her strong hand of oppressive power upon all dissenters. The persecutions of bygone days will be revived. Religious ordinances and institutions will be enforced by law. See Rev. 13: 11-18. Against this unholy alliance the message of the third angel of Rev. 14: 9-12 sounds a most solemn warning.

The End of Vain Hopes

For a little time the great professed but backslidden church will appear to triumph. As stated in the prophecy of Isaiah to which reference is made above, she will be exalted to the “top of the mountains.” For a time the law will go forth from Zion. The great formal church will rule the world. It will seem that the universal reign of peace and good will has been established. The Roman Church will say, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” Rev. 18: 7. But in the day of her fancied security shall come calamity and destruction. Says the divine Record: “Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.” Rev. 18: 8. Says the apostle: “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them; . . . and they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5: 3.

These great movements which we see in the world today are but harbingers of the speedy consummation of all things. While we appreciate the high ideals and the honest purpose of many connected with them, let us not be carried away by the spirit of enthusiasm which actuates their promoters, or with the plausible and idealistic arguments which they present. But let us recognize these movements as a fulfilment of the divine prophecy, as harbingers of the great catastrophe which is soon to envelop the world. We shall know no real peace on this earth until the power of sin has been broken and Christ takes unto himself his great power and authority and reigns supreme.

F. M. W.