DISAPPOINTING by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 18, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 29.

DISAPPOINTING.

By Editor

LIKE every other product of sin, war is disappointing. A large majority of men who enter the army are disappointed as to the individual results. This was especially demonstrated in the Philippines, when, within six months of their arrival in the untried field, the men of nearly every volunteer regiment were clamoring to be sent home. The disappointing character of the service has also been shown by the list of suicides in the army, the latest record showing seven officers and seventy-seven enlisted men.

Like reports of the disappointment of British soldiers in South Africa are being made prominent. A correspondent of the London Morning Post says frankly that there are very few in the army there who are not "heartily sick of the whole concern." Of course they mean to go through with it, but the official class (which are largely of the wealthy circles) "reckon daily with a sigh what they are missing in England—the racing and the yachting and the cricket, the little meetings and the little matches and the shooting, it may be, to follow. The big thing they are in does not appeal to them; the taking of two countries, each of which might make a kingdom; the drawing of the scarlet line of empire round this rich corner of the world." Then so very few have made the personal record of heroism of which they dreamed when starting out from home. The correspondent adds that "their heart is not in the

enterprise, but in the little ways and plays at home." Truly it may be said this whole war business is "vanity and vexation of spirit."

UNPROFITABLE CONTENTION.

IT is always unwise to contend with an enemy after the conflict is manifestly lost. It is folly for a sinner to contend with Satan in his own strength. Without Christ any battle with the enemy of souls is lost at the outset. What the Boers expect to gain by continuing the war with Britain is hard to see. Apparently it is only the empty honor of being what the world calls heroic. There was a time when they expected that the sympathy of other nations would take practical shape, and that Britain's natural enemies would make the occasion their opportunity. But those nations that would fain have done so were in perplexity; none of them dare trust the other, notwithstanding the Peace Congress. Then when the Boer cause became hopeless of itself, the world's sympathy, such as it is at best, vanished away.

Just at this moment the kaleidoscope takes another turn, and the scene of general interest and anxiety is centered far away from Africa. It is China now, and Britain's erstwhile enemies are at least nominally her confreres in trouble. So the Boers must make the most of their perplexity. Fortunately, tho, they have some good promises on the part of their conquerors; and Britain's promises are as good as those of any other world-power. Britain has promised that after pacification the Boers shall have the same freedom and equality as Canada, Australia, and the other self-governing colonies of the empire. Mr. Chamberlain said in the House of Commons, some five months ago, "Whatever may be the results of the war, does any one imagine that we shall fail to do for others what we claimed for ourselves, or refuse equal rights to the Dutch in the Transvaal?" Whatever the justice of the Boer cause at the beginning, having failed, such a concession from a conqueror is better than fighting for naught. The Boers claim to be Christians; therefore the advice of the Master is pertinent to their present situation: "Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." Matt. 5: 41. It would have been more profitable to have heeded this advice: "Put up again thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Matt. 26: 52. "It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in man."