“CHRISTIANITY VERSUS MILITARISM”
By J. E. F.
THE Rev. J. W. Shenk, of Los Angeles, California, brings the following excellent indictment against militarism: “Militarism is the absolute negative of Christianity. The one exhibits a mailed fist, the other shows a hand that is pierced. The one carries a big stick, the other carries a cross on which the Prince of glory died. The one declares that might makes right; the other affirms that right makes might. The one says that the foundation of all things is force; the other says that the foundation of all things is love. “Militarism is materialism in its deadliest manifestation; it is atheism in its most brutal and blatant incarnation; it is the enemy of God and man. It must be overthrown. Every nation which becomes its devotee is doomed. Militaristic nations are broken to pieces like potters’ vessels. So did the Almighty break Nineveh and Babylon, Persia and Greece and Rome; and unless they repent, He will break in pieces the so-called great powers of Europe.” Yes, militarism is to be “overthrown”; it is “doomed.” But when is it to be overthrown? It is in vain to expect the nations to repent, as the Rev. Mr. Shenk may hope. Daniel the prophet, in explaining the heathen king’s dream, tells of the succession of earth’s great monarchies, how they rose and fell, and of the ten kingdoms symbolized by the feet of the image, representing the present kingdoms of Europe, the great warring nations of to-day. Daniel says the object of the dream is to make known what shall be in the “latter days.” He says that a stone is to smite the image upon the feet, grinding to powder all the kingdoms of this world. The stone, representing the kingdom of God, is then set up, and endures forever. MILITARISM IN THE LAST DAYS
The word of God makes plain that in these last days, the nations of this earth will go headlong into militarism. “Proclaim ye this among the gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. . . . The day of the Lord is near.” What the prophet Joel forecast in these words twenty-seven centuries ago, is now fulfilling before our eyes. The nations are becoming more and more military in character. These are signs of the end. Soon the Son of man will come to end the strife. To the Son are given the nations who have refused the principles of peace. These He dashes in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Peace and safety messages are preached, but they never will be realized until the Prince of peace shall come to reign. J. E. F.