L. A. S by L. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 6, 1904

L. A. S

By L. A. S.

As quoted in a Topeka, Kan., paper, of Bishop C. C. McCabe (Methodist) “favors a modern crusade against Turkey in the interest of religious freedom,” which he thinks should be undertaken by the United States and England. He is quoted thus:—

I think that the time has come when the whole Christian world should rise and compel the Turk to grant religious liberty to the Armenians.

I would be pleased, minister as I am, if the battle-ships would steam up the Bosporus and demand of the sultan not only that he grant the indemnity asked for by the United States, but that a demand for religious liberty should be made at the same time, and if the sultan refused, he should be forced to concede it.

I think the time has come when the United States and Great Britain should unite to demand religious liberty all over the world.

The Christian world, if it is truly Christian, can not compel the Turk or any other power in such a way as the bishop suggests. The power of Christianity can not be brought to bear on any person or nation through battle-ships and armies. It can be applied only through spiritual agencies. There is great confusion on this point in the minds of many Christian people to-day. When the church forgets that the weapons of Christian warfare are not carnal, and when the Christian people in a nation lead the nation to undertake with its army and navy results that can be accomplished only by the missionary work of the church, great harm is done to the cause of Christianity in non-Christian lands and throughout the world.