The Peace-and-Safety Cry by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 3, 1910

The Peace-and-Safety Cry

By F. M. W.

NOTWITHSTANDING the gigantic preparations for war being made by every nation under heaven, there still are those who hug the delusive hope of world-wide peace. In its New-year’s issue, the Denver (Colo.) Post presents an expression of opinion from some of the world’s diplomats at Washington, D. C., regarding the present situation. These, with one voice, proclaim peace for the future, expatiate upon its blessings, and decry the horrors of war. The Italian ambassador, Baron des Planches, voices the sentiments of the others in the following words:—

Prosperity and happiness—like peace, whether individual or national—are achieved by a determination on the part of ourselves to have them. Once upon a time men and women were taught war and strife, even in their cradle days; later this doctrine was followed by one half of the world, thus worrying the peaceful remainder. Now, instead, peace is in our hearts, and we are determined to have it. For this reason we shall have it, and with it, all that goes with it. As an American general said, to paraphrase him, “War is not heaven.” Let talk of war alone. There will be no war within our time, and during that period we shall be able to adjust circumstances to prevent a possible conflict. Jingoism will always be rampant, no matter how well situated humanity may be.

Of course, these are mere platitudes. Every statesman and diplomat quoted by the Post knows in his own soul that the world’s peace in the future is far from assured. Every man knows that his own nation is vying with every other nation in increasing her armaments both on land and on sea, and preparing with feverish excitement for the great struggle for political control which lies in the near future.

This peace-and-safety cry which is echoed from pulpit and platform, together with the conditions witnessed among the nations of earth, are both striking fulfilments of prophecies. The prophet Joel tells us that in the last days the nations would prepare for war, that the implements of peace would be turned into implements of bloodshed, and that the nations would assemble together for the last great and terrible conflict of Armageddon. This we see literally fulfilling

before our eyes. The armed camps of Europe, the feverish haste with which the nations are preparing great fighting-machines for use on land and sea, the intense interest manifested in the invention of war balloons, the millions of dollars of appropriations for general war purposes,—all these things show that Joel’s prophecy is meeting a striking fulfilment in our own day.

But right at this time, as brought to view in the second chapter of Isaiah and the fifth chapter of 1 Thessalonians, there would be those who would predict a time of peace and safety. Flattering themselves in their own security, they see no danger for alarm. Drunken with their own dreams of peace, they pass over the sights before their own eyes, discount the ominous signs to be seen on every side, and seek to lull to sleep every awakened conscience with the vain promise of coming peace. But the Lord declares that when this cry of peace and safety shall have reached its climax, then sudden destruction shall come upon the world. May we heed the warning of God, and not be deceived by the siren song of security with which Satan is endeavoring to lull the world into the sleep of indifference and insensibility.

F. M. W.