p. 5 | W A R by F. L. Favour

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 25, 1899

W A R.

By F. L. Favour

PASSING along the streets of Baltimore, my eyes fell upon words like these: "Your country calls you." But the Spirit within me answered, God has called you first. Therefore I passed along contented and glad that I am in the army of the Lord, and His Word is the sword I use.

Many ministers and church people believe that you can be a follower of Christ and at the same time you can fight with swords, rifles, cannons, and other instruments of war; but this can not be so, for we are not called upon to destroy men's lives, but to save them by pointing them to Christ. The Mohammedan religion is a religion of fire and sword, but the Gospel of the Lord bringeth peace and salvation to men.

There were wars during the apostles' times, but have we any record where they fought and slew their enemies?

At one time Peter "drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Matt. 26 : 51, 52.

I know that there shall be wars and rumors of war until the end of the world, for "there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked;" but let us keep ourselves clear of these things, for we are not of this world, but Christ has called and chosen us to follow Him to glory.

At the end, all the armies of the nations shall be gathered to fight against the Lord and His army. (For a proof of this read Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. 14:1-15.) As you stand now so shall you stand then. "When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them; but he that putteth his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain." Isa. 57:13. F. L. FAVOUR. Baltimore, Md.