The War Spirit Conquered by John N. Quinn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 16, 1911

The War Spirit Conquered

By John N. Quinn

JOHN N. QUINN

MEN of thought, men who have the best interests of the race at heart, are striving earnestly to suppress the war spirit so prevalent among the nations. Sermons are preached, peace congresses are held, articles portraying the insanity of war are published in magazines, and even leading financiers are urged to refrain from lending money for war purposes. Every moral and intellectual force is appealed to in the interest of peace, and yet the preparations for war continue.

There is but one remedy for the war spirit, and it is found in the gospel of the Prince of Peace. That the gospel of Jesus Christ eradicates the war spirit from those who accept it, is shown by the following incident, related by a missionary from Madagascar:—

“The Kora tribe had been converted from heathenism to the worship of the true God. The neighboring Sakalava people began to fight them. It was the first time the Koras had gone to war since their conversion to Christianity; and their prime minister reminded them that it must be carried on in a Christian manner. There must be no needless bloodshed, no carrying off of slaves, no stealing nor like wrong things that are usually the rule in war. A fund of money was raised that the soldiers might honestly buy from the enemy whatever they might need. Children held prayer-meetings, and prayed for the speedy end of the war.”

“The Sakalava villagers were astonished at such queer warriors. ‘What strange enemies are these?’ they asked; ‘they will not take even an egg without paying for it.’ When the two armies faced each other, the Kora commander asked for parley. He explained to the opposing chief why he wished to avoid bloodshed, if possible. The heathen chief sneered openly, accusing him of being afraid to fight. In reply the commander said, ‘What is your price for yonder bullock?’ The amount was paid, and the general aimed his gun at the animal. ‘You can’t kill it at that distance,’ sneered the other. The shot rang out, and the bullock fell dead. ‘Now,’ said the Kora chief, ‘all my soldiers can shoot as well as I. What would be your chance against us?’ ‘We should all be dead men,’ was the frank reply. The parley was followed by an agreement for peace. The heathen chief asked,

‘Can not some of your men stay and teach us the religion that makes enemies into friends?’”

Not alone in Madagascar, but in Britain and Germany, France and Prussia, the United States and Japan, to the extent that the principles of the gospel are received and practised, peace invariably follows. The enmity of the carnal heart is conquered, and heaven’s spirit of peace on earth and good will to men prevails. The day of the gospel’s universal triumph at the second coming of Christ draws on apace. May its approach be hastened by the earnest and consistent endeavors of the followers of Christ.

Takoma Park, D. C.