The Germ From Which War Is Produced
By K. C. Russell
All sorts of theories are advanced as to the real cause of the terrible war now being waged in Europe. The czar of Russia says it began because Austria attacked Servia. Emperor William of Germany says it was because Russia began mobilizing her army while appearing to bring about an adjustment of the difficulty. There is no doubt that these reasons figured to a greater or less extent in finally precipitating the war. They are, however, not fundamental in this general European war. This war, like all others except that it is on a larger scale, is but a manifestation of the unregenerate elements that are lurking at their gloomiest in every human heart that has not been changed by the Holy Spirit. We may look aghast and exclaim that this ruler or the other is the cause of the war, because he did this, that, or the other thing, but after all our theorizing we must go back to the basic cause, the germ of war that is inherent in every human soul and is only waiting for favorable conditions to spring forth with its baneful fruits, among which are the conditions that obtain in Europe. The inspired apostle James gives the origin of war as follows: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” Thus we see the root of all war is inbred in the very nature of men, and the only remedy that can effectually remove it is the gospel of Jesus Christ. What we see manifested in the awful war that is now on in Europe is the very spirit that is dominant in the greater number of its citizens. A nation’s character is the expression of the character of the majority of its citizens. It must be evident to all that the movement for universal peace has signally failed as a remedy for war. Some one has told us how wars have increased since the building of the Peace Palace at The Hague, as follows: “When its construction was decided upon, the Anglo-Boer war broke out and plans were laid for the Russo-Japanese war. When the first stone was laid, the kaiser made his first voyage to Tangier, which event was the beginning of the Morocco-European complications. When the first floor was finished, Austria seized Bosnia and Herzegovina. When the second floor was finished, the Franco-German controversy arose. When the roof was put on, the Turko-Italian war began!” Think what has taken place since its completion, the terrible war in the Balkan States, the continuous wars in Mexico, and now the general European war, the outcome of which no man can foresee. From the foregoing it appears that every effort to bring about universal peace in the way it is being attempted by its advocates is a signal for another war more terrible than the preceding one. Universal peace will never become effective until the Prince of Peace shall come and do away with all war, even the very germ of it, so that throughout the eternal future the universe of God will no more be menaced by war and bloodshed. Should the present European war be terminated soon, it ought to be a signal to all who know what these things mean, to work as they cannot while the war is on, to herald quickly the speedy coming of the Prince of Peace to every inhabitant of Europe.