A SATISFACTORY SETTLEMENT.
By M. E. K.
MR. GLADSTONE sums up his opinion of the condition of affairs in the east, especially in reference to the Turkish Empire, in the following terse sentences:— The pain, shame, and mischief of the last two years in the eastern policy transcend entirely the powers of any language I could use concerning them. The sum is this:— Firstly, a hundred thousand Armenians have been slaughtered, with no security against a repetition, and with greater profit to the assassins. Secondly, Turkey is stronger than at any time since the Crimean war. Thirdly, Greece is weaker than at any time since she became a kingdom. Fourthly, all this is due to the European concert—that is, the mutual hatred and distrust of the powers. The last sentence contains Mr. Gladstone’s idea of what the “European concert,” so much talked of, is. It is nothing but the mutual distrust and hatred of the great powers for each other. The Christian Advocate defines the “concert” in the following words:— The only real concert of Europe at present appears to be on the basis of “hands off.” A union of “hands on” would be like that of ravenous beasts in the presence of a carcass. It would scarcely be made before in the partition the beasts would be tearing each other. No doubt this is a true statement. From dividing the prey, the powers would soon be engaged in tearing one another, and the fear of this acts as a check upon them, preventing them from doing the very thing they want to do. If each one of the powers were not filled with a burning jealousy and fear that another would get more of the sultan’s estate than it would get, the united powers would soon put an end to his government. That the “Christian” powers should do this, is what a great part of the religious press of Great Britain and the United States are constantly clamoring for. Mr. Gladstone thinks it should be done. But as these powers are so full of jealousy themselves, how can they be spoken of as “Christian” powers? and how can they be expected to make a just settlement of the sultan’s estate, or of anything else? Can justice be expected where jealousy and cupidity hold full sway? These powers can not treat each other in a Christian manner; much less can they treat Turkey so. Jealousy is the very opposite of Christianity, and as the powers are full of it, they can not be Christian only in name; and such Christianity amounts to nothing. It does not insure just actions. Furthermore, as they can not settle the affairs of the Turkish Empire in a Christian way, they can only settle them by force, and that is precisely the way that Turkey would do. So it would not be a Christian settlement after all. But one thing is needed in Europe and everywhere to secure a perfect settlement of all disturbances, and that is the Gospel of Christ. The most seditious Armenian, as well as the most cruel Kurd, becomes a gentle, affectionate, and loving brother when once his heart has been touched by the divine power of the Gospel. The Lord has put every believer in trust with the Gospel to make it known to others. Thus every Christian, however humble and unknown, knows of a power more potent for good, better able to promote peace and harmony among men and among nations, than is possessed by all the kings of the world, with all their armies at their backs. Christ’s ministers are ambassadors of peace for God to men. And when a man is really and truly at peace with God, he will be at peace with his fellow-men. God would heal the nations with the Gospel, but they will not be healed. When the last message of mercy, offered to the world in the “everlasting Gospel,” in its great threefold aspect (Rev. 14:6-12), shall be finished, who can accuse God of injustice should He withdraw mercy, close the drama of this world, and bring all things to an end? As the Creator He has a right to do so. And, in view of the obdurate hearts of men, which refuse the Gospel, there is no other way for a final and satisfactory ending of the affairs of this world. Infinite mercy has long been offered, but has been rejected. Infinite justice must at last interfere. Then a perfect—a satisfactory settlement of all the affairs of the world will be made. M. E. K.