WILL THERE BE PEACE? by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 27, 1901

WILL THERE BE PEACE?

By G.

Several papers have expressed the opinion that the death of Queen Victoria will have the effect of more closely uniting the various European governments in bonds of peace. The theory is based upon the fact that the queen was a lover of peace, and the gathering of so many representatives of other governments at her funeral will tend to strengthen their sympathies for each other in a common sorrow.

However, the argument is not logical. It is hardly reasonable to suppose that the death of a peace-loving sovereign of such wide influence would be more potent for the promotion of peace than her life has been. The history of the past two years manifests anything but a spirit of peace in the world, notwithstanding the peaceful disposition of the most respected of earthly rulers. Just how her death can brighten the prospect is somewhat mysterious. It is said the queen was opposed to the war in Africa, and since she was powerless to prevent it while living, it is difficult to see how her death could prevent like disturbances, or like combative tendencies on the part of her statesmen and people. She seems to have been powerless—if indeed inclined—to prevent the war of the allied powers in China, or even to keep her own government out of it during her lifetime, and shall we suppose that her demise will in any degree increase her influence for peace? Unless we are prepared to admit the latter proposition, we must rather look for more turbulent times because of her decease.

The theory of prospective peace because of the death of a peaceful ruler over so large a portion of the human race, sounds very much like a cry of, Peace, peace, when there is no peace in sight or in prospect. Neither the signs of our times nor the prophetic Word hold out any legitimate hope of an era of peace on earth, until the King of peace and of righteousness shall Himself come to establish it.