THE WAR SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH.
By R. F. Cottrell
At a recent meeting of the Universal Peace Union, held in Buffalo, N.Y., the Rev. L. M. Powers is reported in the Buffalo Inquirer as picturing the attitude of the church in the following language:— Why say the world's hope lies in its conversion to the Gospel of Christ? Convert the world to the gospel of Buddha, and there would be wars. Make the world atheist or agnostic, and there would be no wars. While ministers are silent, atheists and agnostics are denouncing the folly and injury of war. Labor organizations are indifferent or hostile to church, but as clear-spoken and vigorous in opposition to war. All the live forces in society to-day, except the church, are against war. I would state that the further you get from the influences of churches, the nearer you get to the religion of Christ. Without the active support of the churches, wars would not be. That is why the world's hope lies in the conversion of the church. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” said Jesus. “But the Filipinos began it,” say the ministers. “Ye are My disciples,” said Jesus. “The Boer is ‘a brute,’ say the ministers. “Overcome evil with good,” said Jesus. “Let us ‘make good war-ships,’ say the ministers. “Love your enemies,” said Jesus. “Let us have ‘a standing army,’ say the ministers. Imagine an army going into battle with its banners bearing the legend, “Resist not evil,” “Blessed are the merciful,” with its rifle bullets stamped, “God is love,” its cannon balls inscribed, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least ‘of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Their bayonets on which are written, “See this ‘Man.’” Not only are the ministers incapable of thought, they have no faith in the religion of Him in whose name they are supposed to minister. Sad indeed is this condition! Think of it,—the very ones professing to represent the principles of Christ found calling for weapons and blood; the men who should be seeking souls planning to destroy human lives. Evidently some have forgotten entirely in whose service they are enlisted. An incident parallel to this is found in Luke 9. Instead of receiving Christ, the Samaritans treated Him with contempt. In the minds of the disciples James and John, such conduct merited instant death. But listen to Jesus: “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to ‘destroy men's lives, but to save them.” The work of the Gospel is to go, “not by might, nor by power, ‘but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’”9 “But,” one asks, “is it wrong to fight for a just ‘cause?”—Certainly not; but before starting make sure that you have the right uniform and arms. “For,” says Paul, “the weapons of our warfare are ‘not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling ‘down of strongholds.” These are the weapons used exclusively by Christians; and if you would know what they all are, just read Eph. 6:11-17. How strange that any should throw off this mighty armor, and abandon the power of the Gospel, which is the power of God, to embrace the seeming power of feeble, helpless man? But conditions will not change for the better. This was expressly stated and written out for future generations nearly two thousand years ago. It may be found in 2 Tim. 3:1-5. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, . . . ‘having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.’” This is but one of the many evidences that we are in the perils of the last days. Let us, then, “hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.” Buffalo, N. Y. R. F. COTTRELL.