The Church Peace Conference
THE first conference of the recently organized Church Peace Union was called to convene in Constance, Germany, on August 2. The financing of this Church Peace Union was provided for by the gift of two million dollars from Mr. Andrew Carnegie. But just as they were convening in Germany, this great war broke out, and the delegates had to hasten as fast as they could, to get out of the country. A few subsequent meetings were held in London, in the midst of the war troubles that were tearing England. The Federal Council of Churches in America sends out a report, one of the first paragraphs of which reads: "It is significant that this first international conference of the churches for the promotion of friendship and peace between the nations of the world, occurred at a moment when we were all obliged to witness an amazing development of the war fever, and the wide-spread misery caused on all sides by the mere preparations for battle; and we have had a unique opportunity to witness the sincere and profound reluctance with which the sober and serious element in every nation concerned has found itself involved in the imminent cataclysm. Whatever the immediate outcome may be, we are more than ever confident and convinced that this sober and serious element of every Christian nation is now, as always, moving under the guidance and blessing of Almighty God our Father. Our dismay is not despair. No note of pessimism has been heard at any of the four sessions of our conference. There is a general consciousness that now more than ever, we are called to cooperate in the spirit of Jesus Christ, so that no self-will or bitterness or impatience on our part shall cloud our vision, or hinder us from seeing the opportunity which God is giving us to do His will in the world — waiting upon the Lord." It is certainly significant that this "first international conference of the churches for the promotion of friendship and peace" should have been broken up by the greatest and most destructive war that has ever cursed the earth. The members of the council desired that this consideration should not cloud their vision. The vision of ministers is already clouded when they think that they will be able to establish universal peace on this earth in its present condition. Men who claim to believe the Bible, should read what it says; and reading what it says, they will know that Christ plainly states that "wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matt. 7: 13, 14. In other words, few are finding the way of life, while many are going the ways of death. There can be no mistaking the import of these words. Again the Master says: "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." Verses 22, 23. There is no promise nor intimation in the Bible that the world at large will become converted. The Master says, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12: 32. It is the few who stand in the ways of righteousness. And the minister of the gospel has no right to promise universal peace on this earth. He has no warrant for it whatever. We may seek to promote peace, we may talk in favor of peace. This is our duty, for our Master is the Prince of peace; but we have no right to promise universal peace until the time of His coming. He has said that then He will "destroy them which destroy the earth" (Rev. 11: 18), and thus will wars and all their attendant sufferings be brought to an end. But we have no promise of it on any other plan or any other basis.