THE WAY OF PEACE | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 7, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 23.

THE WAY OF PEACE.

THE theory of large armies and navies as a means of securing and maintaining peace between nations is not well sustained in municipal troubles. If large, well-equipped armies will tend to keep peace between hostile nations, why will not the same rule work between other classes having divergent interests? When one party of citizens becomes aroused against another class, why do not the authorities furnish both parties with arms and ammunition? The rule in such cases is to disarm as far as possible. If carnal weapons, with plenty of ammunition, and a skilful tact in the use of such implements, is conducive to peace, why not encourage everybody to carry arms and acquire a dextrous use of them?

In every-day affairs it is generally understood that the practise of carrying arms, and familiarity with their use, is dangerous to the peace of society; that men with fighting dispositions are none the less, but rather the more, disposed to quarrel when well prepared to fight with a possibility of winning. If it be commendable to teach our young men to be ready to fight and to kill for the aggrandizement of the nation, why not do the same thing for the interest of one municipality as against that of another, or for the aggrandizement of one's own self.

On one occasion some cadets were told by a “Christian” President that they should be not only ready, but anxious, to fight. Now suppose all the armies of the world are so instructed—and no doubt they are—and these armies are being continually strengthened; suppose also that the rulers of those nations are imbued with a like spirit; then what is there to inculcate the spirit of peace?

It is very likely to happen that large and growing armies, well prepared for war and anxious to fight, will some day find the opportunity. There is not a great nation on the earth that is not ambitious to extend its “sphere of influence,” which is to say, its control of territory and people, the accomplishment of which means the disadvantage, directly or indirectly, of some other nation or people. And this is why they are all trying to increase their military or naval forces, or both. These increases are not for peace; they are designed either to overawe or to conquer. Some day a general clash will come.

God is anxious to see universal peace. He sent His Son on a mission to earth which was proclaimed in these words: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.” This announcement is called “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” But Christ did not raise an army equipped with carnal weapons. He even healed instantly the wound made upon an enemy by a rash disciple in supposed defense of his Master. And His most instructive apostle says: “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” Christ is our peace, not armies of hostile men equipped with deadly arms and missiles and “anxious to fight.”

“God hath called us to peace;” to “follow peace with all men,” but in the “whole armor of God” there is but one offensive and defensive weapon, and that is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Of those who seek peace in any other way, the Lord says: “The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings; they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.” It is high time that at least professedly Christian rulers should know that “there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” “Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.”

Peace can only be found in the Lord’s way. “Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee.”