A “Christian” Company

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 9, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 23.

A “Christian” Company.

The Pacific Christian of May 26 publishes, evidently with approval, the following:—

Volunteers Wanted.

“It has been proposed, by a member of our San Francisco churches, to organize a company of Christian young men, the company to volunteer for the service of the United States in case there are further calls for troops. Applicants should be physically and morally sound, unmarried, and between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five years. Those desiring to join such a company may address ‘U. S. A., care Pacific Christian, San Francisco.’ Applicants need not be residents of San Francisco, but should be ready to meet here when called upon.”

We merely note that this is found in a paper which lays down as its first plank in its published “platform” “loyalty to Jesus Christ as the supreme authority in all matters of faith and duty.” But Jesus said: “Put up again thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” “My kingdom is not of this world; if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My kingdom not from hence.” Matt. 26:52; John 18:36. In its third plank the Pacific Christian declares for “unity, that for which Jesus prayed, . . . to the end that the world may be converted.” Conversion comes not with carnal weapons, but spiritual (2 Cor. 10:3-5), by the mercy of God, “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). The planks of the platform are good, and pacific Christianity is the Christianity of Christ, our Peace; but how does this comport with a company of “Christian” volunteers, fighting with carnal weapons? And, further, by what inquisition or touchstone is it to be ascertained that the applicants for membership in this company are “morally sound”? “Christian” warfare with carnal weapons develops many queer inconsistencies, as well as do “Christian citizenship” and “Christian politics.” All these are in perfect accord with “Christian nations,” of which one never existed on this earth, and never can nor will exist till Jesus Christ shall come and reign over those who are loyal to Him and His Gospel of peace. Then there will not be one soul to desire a carnal weapon.

We merely note the above as an indication of the unsettled condition of things religiously, of departure from the Gospel, as one of the signs of the times.

But perhaps these “Christian” volunteers are going to war clad in “the whole armor of God”—the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the greaves of peace, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Eph. 6:10-18. But then they would not be in the United States service, but in the service of Jesus Christ. In this we have no criticism to offer on the government—that is not our province; we merely show from God’s Word that war with carnal weapons is not Christian.