WILL ALL MANKIND CRY FOR PEACE?
THE "Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America" is busying itself, perhaps more strongly than in any other way, in the various suggested efforts to secure international peace. The secretary of the "Federal Council," Dr. Charles S. Macfarland, has secured, through the German embassy at Washington, an authoritative copy of that paragraph in Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg's speech on November 9, in which he deals with the peace movement. Some of the words of the chancellor follow: "When, at and after the end of the war, the world will become fully conscious of its horrifying destruction of life and property, then through the whole of mankind will ring a cry for peaceful arrangements and understandings which, as far as lies in human power, shall avoid the return of such a monstrous catastrophe. This cry will be so powerful and so justified that it must lead to some result. . . . "The first condition for evolution of international relations by way of arbitration and peaceful compromise of conflicting interests should be that no more aggressive coalitions are formed in future. Germany will at all times be ready to enter a league for the purpose of restraining the disturbers of peace." Secretary Macfarland also addressed a communication by wireless to Dr. Adolph Deissmann, the celebrated Orientalist of the University of Berlin, asking him for his opinion on this question of a league to enforce peace. Dr. Deissmann, in his reply to Secretary Macfarland, said, among other things: "The question raised by Lord Bryce whether, after the close of this most destructive war, arrangements could be made by which peace-loving nations should pledge themselves to desist from any attack with arms, and submit all matters of dispute to a court of arbitration, is one of the great burning questions of the future, which concern not only a group of nations, but all mankind. Although history teaches us that the road leading to this goal is not easy, yet I venture to say that in our country, the idea of arbitration is gaining ground constantly." On this question of a desire for a court of universal arbitration, Dr. Deissmann says that his words express his private opinion; "they are the voice of an individual in Germany." He proceeds then, however, to refer to Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg's speech in which he commits the German Empire to this policy of an international court and league of nations to enforce peace; and concerning that speech Dr. Deissmann says: "The echo which this straightforward address, so full of strength and national dignity, has found in our press, confirms my impression that the idea of arbitration is constantly gaining ground in our country." But most significant of all is the following paragraph from Dr. Deissmann's communication to the secretary of the Federal Council of Churches: Study These Significant Utterances
"Of course, if attempts to form an international alliance for maintaining lasting conditions of peace are to be practically realized, the mental and spiritual atmosphere within the great powers must change. The gangrenous ulcer of hate which poisons international relations must be burned out, and the intellectual heads of nations, above all, the Christian leaders, must, under full recognition of the bona fides of their opponents, be ready to forgive one another's thoughts, as well as words and deeds, whereby they have hurt and wounded each other. Then they would be able to succeed in fully entering into the problem of reconstruction. In creating this atmosphere, which is prerequisite to every step towards a better mutual understanding, neutral Christians have a great mission. Without pharisaism, and by the proper attitude, which avoids everything that might pour oil into the flames of war, they should regard combatants as suffering brethren, nurse their wounds, and reconsider the attitude of their hearts and minds." It must be apparent to every observer of current discussion, that there is a growing, feverish intensity to organize the world into a "league to enforce peace." Statesmen in all the nations are voicing the sentiment. Churchmen are working for this league with might and main; and Dr. Deissmann thinks that "above all, the Christian leaders" must enter into this work of establishing the proposed peace league. He considers that "neutral Christians have a great mission" in bringing the world up to the point where it will be free from war. When They Say, "Peace and Safety"
On the face of it, these propositions seem good. It is not surprising that thousands upon thousands of the best men and women of the world are swayed by the impression that they should secure a league of nations which will forever put an end to the horrible butcheries that are now in progress in the Old World. But certainly, in the midst of all this feverish discussion, in these excitable times, there will be some who will think sufficiently beneath the surface to make the earnest inquiry. If the Christianity of the "Christian nations" of 1914 could not prevent the war, is there a sufficient change in the Christianity of these "Christian nations" of 1916 to form a league that will prevent the recurrence of such a catastrophe? Paul, speaking of these very times in which we live, describes a great mass of people as uttering a chorus cry of "Peace and safety," who are to be visited by "sudden destruction." "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." Isa. 57: 21. Is it possible to take the wicked, selfish men of this wicked world, and form a league, or a combination, even though it be done in the name of Christianity, that will establish perpetual peace? Those who have been constant readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will readily call to mind those remarkable prophecies in the second chapter of Isaiah and the fourth chapter of Micah which tell of the "many peoples" and the "many nations" who will, in the "last days," go forth to form these great leagues of peace. Every Christian will devotedly labor for peace; but every careful student of the Bible must be impressed with the fact that there is no promise of lasting peace in this wicked world. On the other hand, we learn, from the divine Book, that the greatest persecuting despotism known to history will be found in the last days, in the name of the Christian religion, and ostensibly to secure perpetual peace. The promises of the Bible hold forth the great prospect of the soon coming of Christ, when He will destroy all sin and wickedness, in order that He may bring in the reign of everlasting peace, in the eternity of bliss that He has promised to those who will accept and carefully follow the teaching of His divine word.