An Illusion by T.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 3, 1898

An Illusion.

By T.

Gen. Nelson A. Miles, in the January Forum, speaking of impressions on the subject of war that many hold, which to his mind “are not well founded,” says, “One is that we have reached the millennium, that the world has become sufficiently enlightened to abhor war, and to settle all its national and international affairs on intelligent and humane principles. What facts warrant such a pleasing sentiment, belief, or hope? The heralds of time that record the passing years and months, record also national strife and wars in some part of the world. There never was a time in the whole history of the world when so much ingenuity, wealth, and skill were employed in the invention and construction of the appliances of war. The fact that the art of man has utilized high explosives and metals of the most extraordinary and hitherto unknown density and tenacity, together with electricity and other modern appliances, does not indicate that wars will be less frequent, or that the destruction of life will be so great as to prevent the use of such appliances. With all these changes, the principles of war have not changed, tho the tactics used by the contending forces have been modified.”

The foregoing paragraph most assuredly presents the correct view of the situation. The worst snare that can be laid is the “illusion” of a false hope. The prophet says, “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Jer. 6:14. It is indeed pleasant to think that “wars are forever at an end.” But, as General Miles says, “What facts warrant such a pleasing sentiment, belief, or hope?” Sentiments, no matter how pleasing or desirable they may be, can never be realized unless they have some sort of a substantial basis. And in the presence of the most vigorous preparations for war, and the most intense war spirit that the world has ever seen, how can any one be saying, “Peace, peace”? In thus saying, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace,” surely there can be no mistake that this prophecy is being most literally fulfilled.