MILITARY SPIRIT | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 16, 1896

MILITARY SPIRIT.

THE following is from a pastor in a prominent religious paper; and it well illustrates the coming in of the military spirit in religious circles:—

“Last evening we gave place in our service to the Boys’ Brigade and publicly recognized it as a department of church work. The boys formed in the chapel and at an early hour marched into the church and occupied seats reserved for them in front. The brigade of a neighboring church accompanied them and occupied seats behind them. The decorations of flags and flowers, the bright new uniforms of the boys and their officers, and their martial bearing, were pleasant and inspiring to see. It is wonderful in how short a time a group of untrained boys of all sizes, sorts, and dress can be harmonized and brought to appear and move as one under careful military drill. . . . Once started its own attractiveness is enough to keep it moving, and many who would otherwise be indifferent to church work are brought into active service. The public recognition exercises last evening were adapted to the occasion, and were participated in largely by the boys themselves. Commissions were formally issued to the officers, and warrants to the non-commissioned officers, and a pledge was taken from all to promote ‘the advancement of Christ’s kingdom among boys, and habits of reverence, discipline, self-respect, and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.’ The interest in the movement was general and hearty, even among those who were less sanguine of it before it was undertaken, and on the weekly drill nights the boys are sure of an audience of spectators, who seem to enjoy it as much as the boys do themselves.”

But this will not put Christ in the heart. It simply builds up a sensuous religion. In harmony with this same principle we have the pope investing a prelate with ecclesiastical dignities, and making his special messenger a military officer, who appeared in his uniform, officially, at the ecclesiastical ceremony of making a cardinal. What else can we expect than war? What force is operative in society to prevent it?