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A Dangerous Message

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 26, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 39.

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A Dangerous Message

By C. M. S.

THE idea of universal peace is in the air. Numerous peace conferences have been held during the past year in America and Europe, and the majority of religious papers look upon this as a hopeful sign of the banishment of war and the rule of amity and righteousness.
While the desire for peace is a righteous desire, and the special blessing of God is pronounced upon the peace-makers, it would be the height of folly for us to pin our faith to the inauguration of a reign of universal peace in this world before the advent of our Lord and the destruction of the wicked.
The cry of “No danger” will not save lives in a burning house nor extinguish the hungry flames. It will not save lives on a sinking ship nor stop the inflow of the rushing water. No more will the cry of “Peace and safety” now insure the welfare of those deluded by it, or bring about the conditions so ardently hoped for. The only place of safety in this world is under the shadow of the Almighty, and the only abode of peace in this world is in the heart of the one thus sheltered.
As long as the human heart can hate, the human hand will know how to fashion the instruments of hate and use them. As long as human hearts are carnal hearts, the people of this world will war upon one another. Legislation can not change men, law can not alter desires, international congresses can not turn sabers into scythes or soldiers into tillers of the soil. There is nothing in legal enactments to make men hate the terrible business of the battle-field or look with sorrow upon the pomp and pageantry of military “glory.”
This world is powerless to “enact” peace, because it possesses no method by which to change the hearts and aspirations of men. It can not give men the power or inclination to love their enemies, to return good for evil, to pray for those who despitefully use them and persecute them. Only the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ can affect such a transformation in the souls of men. And that agency is not employed in this “peace and safety” movement.
The gospel is certain, however, to bring about peace and safety; but when that condition obtains in this world, the elements of discord will have been winnowed out. There will be no need for peace congresses then; and still the inhabitants of that purified land will “delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” The soul truly converted to God may enjoy peace and safety now in the very midst of this world’s alarms. While peace congresses are talking of peace, he is experiencing it; while they are longing for it, he has it—a veritable foretaste of heaven. The Christian can have peace and safety even now; but this present world can never have it: it is wrongly constituted.
In spite of this fact, however, there will come a time when the people of this world will think they have at last so arranged matters that peace and safety are assured, and will make the declaration that it has been achieved. But “then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape.” Giving the “peace and safety” cry will be the most dangerous business in which man can engage. The giver of that message will deceive and ruin his own soul. It is worth while to know what the “peace and safety” cry involves and where the true peace and safety can be found, now and always.
C. M. S.