p. 11 | PIPE DREAMS OF PEACE

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 12, 1916

FromSigns of the Times, December 12, 1916

PIPE DREAMS OF PEACE

“THE American Neutral Conference Committee” of New York City has started a movement throughout the nation to present an appeal to the warring nations of Europe in behalf of peace. It is proposed to secure millions of signatures to petitions in favor of the project. In California alone, an effort will be made to secure at least 500,000 signatures. The people will be asked to declare their faith in “world organization for the development of international coöperation and the settlement of international disputes.”

While this is one of the newest movements looking toward world federation for peace, it is characteristic of the times. Society throughout the world is vibrant with the thought of internationalism. Men are springing up everywhere declaring in favor of it. This is one of the most portentous signs of our times. Such events are strikingly and literally fulfilling prophecies like those in the second of Isaiah and the fourth of Micah, which tell of the “many peoples” and the “many nations” that, in the last days, will say they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. But if we study these prophecies closely, we will see that these people are working under a delusion, and that they will not be successful in their international plans. While the plans may be commendable in themselves, there is not the moral strength in society in these times to ripen them into success. The foundations of society throughout the world have been undermined.

The greed of the age, the lust for power, and the contempt for true morality, on the part of vast multitudes, have created conditions that can only be met by the infinite power of Jehovah, as manifested through the second coming of Christ. We should not allow ourselves to be deceived by the plausible presentations of many well meaning men and women of our day. The dreams of peace will not be realized. The coming of the Prince of peace Himself in the clouds of heaven is the only thing that can settle the quarrels of the warring nations in these times.