PEACE, NOT OF MAN, BUT GOD.
In an article in the San Francisco Examiner of June 18, Francesco Crispi, "the Bismarck of Italy," speaking concerning the objects of the Peace Conference, says:— "The truth is that the conference at The Hague seeks to remove the cause of dissension and conflict without eradicating them; to put aside the germs of war and revolution without destroying them." And this is the simple truth; but it will never succeed. No resolutions, agreements, human laws, or treaties can abolish war. Why?—War is inherent in the natural heart of man. It is as impossible for a peace conference of civil governments to end war as it is to change the complexion of men. It takes creative power to change man's heart, and there is but one Creator, Jehovah, who, before sin marred the earth, created all things through Jesus Christ, and who will create anew every heart submitted to Him. He who hopes for change or relief from the present condition of things through "evolution" or man-made laws or conferences will be sadly disappointed. And those who predict peace from such sources are false prophets. Truly the Lord said in speaking of such prophets: "O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord saith; and the Lord hath not sent them; and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. . . . Because, even because they have seduced My people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar; say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall; there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it." See Eze. 13:4-16; Matt. 7:24-28; Rev. 16:17-21; Job 38:22, 23. And Mr. Crispi sees the futility of all such efforts as the Peace Conference are putting forth; for he continues from the above quotation:— "Wars and revolutions may be retarded, but they will break out at an unexpected hour when all will appear serene and propitious." And so again the Lord declares through His apostle, "When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them." 1 Thess. 5:3. There is but one way of true peace, and that is in the heart service of Christ, the Prince of Peace.