p. 8 | THAT PEACE CRY by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 10, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 39.

THAT PEACE CRY.

By G.

"PEACE, peace," is a notable cry in these last days, and no doubt many of those who so loudly advocate universal peace among the nations really expect such a consummation. But we see no action on the part of the great nations that indicates official expectancy in that direction. The nations that could do the most in that direction are the very ones whose vast armaments, and vast increase of appropriations for such purposes, indicate a different prospect.

For instance, Lord Roberts, head of the British army, has issued a manifesto urging that a three or four months' drill be made in every public school, and that every man during certain years of his life be made legally liable, in any national emergency, to be called out for service.

Some such system is in vogue in every European nation of prominence, and the greater oriental nations are manifesting a like purpose. In our own country the military spirit is encouraged, from the primary school up, under the guise of "patriotism;" and everybody knows that the ultimate of popular patriotism is war. If the people really wanted to inculcate peace in the minds of the rising generation, they would entwine the olive branch around the flag on the schoolhouse, and some peaceful design would take the place of gunpowder and the military parade in the celebration of our liberties. What is liberty but a name, if it be dependent upon war? The Prince of Peace, who came to proclaim peace to the earth and good-will to men, employs no physical force, yet he says, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." And real peace can come from no other source.

But from the standpoint of the world's nations the prospect of universal peace is not very brilliant. The very last view the Word of God gives of their condition is that they are all gathered together in battle. Whatever else one might gather from this prophecy, it is certain that these nations "of the whole world" are not imbued with the spirit of peace. And how could it be otherwise, if the people are to have war-training from their earliest school days to manhood? G.