FOR PEACE, FOR WAR by W. N. G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Sep 8, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 36.

FOR PEACE, FOR WAR.

By W. N. G.

The war with Spain has demonstrated what few people of the United States were willing to admit for foreign publication, namely, that there had not been, up to that time, a complete “reconstruction” of the Southern sentiment toward the government; in other words, that there was not a full reconciliation on the part of many in the South toward the people of the North. Yet that was a condition upon which Spain counted as a factor in the present contest; and the celebration of the Fourth of July in several Southern cities in 1898 for the first time since the Rebellion, showed that the old grievance had not been entirely assuaged. Thus a nominal peace was on that day formally sealed by a prospect of war in another quarter.

This somewhat anomalous condition proves that the love of warfare is indigenous in the human heart, and that men who will not otherwise affiliate will strike hands for the sake of war. This natural love of strife is demonstrated even in the nominal church. To the “brethren”—the “twelve tribes scattered abroad”—the apostle James writes: “Whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” If this be true in contentions among themselves, does it not also account for the eagerness with which professed Christians enter into the wars of the world?

How differently the Gospel of Jesus Christ works in the hearts of those who accept it as the foundation of a new life! Where the seed falls on good ground, having a depth of root nurtured by the Spirit of Christ, “for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name,” there is a different manifestation of fruit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Gal. 5: 22, 23. The Spirit of God produces no such fruit as war against our fellow-men. That is all a product of the natural heart; “hatred” and “strife” are of the “works of the flesh.” Verses 19–21. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The peace of God, which is the only true peace, begets not hatred, but love, for our enemies in the flesh. See Matt. 5: 43–45.

There is another point from which we may view this union of North and South for the purpose of war, and from it learn a lesson. The disciples of Christ have a common enemy, yet we find them divided into scores of hostile bands warring with each other. Had the North and the South become divided as regards the conduct of the war with Spain, and begun to assail each other, the aspect of the contest would have been somewhat different from what it is at the present time. But the two sections laid aside their animosities to make common cause against a common enemy—using the arms and the tactics prescribed by the government.

Now why have not the professed people of

God long ago adopted a like policy? Is it not because “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light”? Luke 16:8. Is it not because professed Christians have cared more for the advancement of their various sects than for the cause of the Master? These scores of divisions are caused by departures from the Word of God. If all stood on the Word, there would be no division, “for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk according to man?” 1 Cor. 3:3, margin. Weakness, division, defeat, come of endeavoring to wage warfare against a spiritual foe with carnal weapons. It comes of professed Christians endeavoring to wrestle against flesh and blood instead of against spiritual wickedness. Eph. 6:12.

If they would but “put on the whole armor of God,” they would consequently be united in Christ, and “be able to withstand in the evil day.” If they would all take the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,” and obey the commandments of God, instead of seeking orders from the civil government in spiritual warfare, there would be more and greater victories over the common adversary of souls, and far less bloodshed in the world.

“Soldiers of Christ, arise, And put your armor on; Fight, for the battle will be ours; We fight to win a crown.” “Put all the armor on; Like valiant soldiers stand; Let all your loins be girt with truth, Waiting our Lord’s command.” W. N. G.