New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15
WAR AND ITS MEANING.
THE REV. ANNIs EASTMAN SAYS 1T Is
RETURN TO THE BRUTE

WAR" SHE DECLARES. rs MURDER on LARGE
SCALE. AND CAN ONLY DE JUSTIFIED
BY THE uoILEsr MOTIVES"
The Rev Annis Ford Eastman. associate pastor
OF the Unity Church. Elmra. recently delivered "A
sermon upon the present war IN which she said:
War Is upon us. II IS no longer theory 10 De
discussed pro and con. but fact TO be recognized
I shall not. therefore, speak OF the causes which
have led to IT, or argue the question at issue be-
tween Spain and the United States. As n disciple
OF Jesus. would speak TO my fellow-men OF that
which have learned from Him. There Is always
q best way to meet every experience or Ife' not II
best way for ideal people in imaginary SITUATIONS
but A best way for common men and women ike
ourselves II is the part OF wisdom 10 ind this
way.
III we dwell often in these days Of unrest and
angry tumult upon the deep sayings of Jesus. /
believe we may gather strength. wisdom and calm
ness for the clear duty OF each day We VIII
surely be saved from the hurtful error INTO WHICH
many ardent spirits have fallen, that war Is IN IL
self good thing, that fighting ennobles or dighi-
Nes mon strip war OF It's ornaments. the banners.
the music the uniforms. the songs. tho rallying
cries and VIC what It really is-a return TO the
brute a confession that the higher qualities OF
mans nature have failed that reasons high once
is abolished and that men can find no better way
10 settle difficulties than can the Hon ana inc
tiger meeting in the dim paths OF the forest
Il have heard say that the courage TO hght
seldom comes before the moment for action The
rusb and roar OF battle the scream OF shell. the
rattle OF musketry the sight of blood. the shouts
OF frenzied men-these play upon the senses with
such power that the man finds himself hghtins
with blind courage and mad rage who IN
moments OF Guinness and sanity would not strike
a blow Is not this proof positive That IL Is the
passions Of the brute that are aroused by war
In cold bood-that IS. in moments OF cain reason
no man Will murder his fellow. Mmrd. Is by corn
ha
low even In self-dcfence. requires 10 he h'lenuSu
bv the conscience OF the civilized world. 10y the
weightlcst OF reasons and the clcarest proofs OF
necessity War Is murder On a large scale. and can
only be justified by the aolicst Of motives Let us
not be found. then glorifyinS the sp'rIt OF W.T.
flghter Is a chief honor 70 manhood. Let us seek
to meet this evil OF warfare that Is upon rs soocr!y
a. those who know IL for what 1t IT, yet hopefully.
as those who trust In God and the world lie IL
TO this end shall We not as patriot. and chris
,ions cherish the nohlest possible view OF our
cOuntry's cause? II may be that counscls OF hlgn-
es, wisdom have not prevailed. that mistakes have
some I'm auhoriiv- these things may De. but II If
not wise or night to speak OF them. sine" We know
Let not speak evil Of authorities. but give an
men, even our rulers. ~" benefit of N" doubt a.
10 the motives bv which they have h""n led Let
us strive with all might 10y iohsu" ana T. ~,
10 keep The ideal Cause = the war hefor" our own
ugly suspicious Of greed and srf-inieresi and re-
venge perish for wan; OF atmosphere.
tho 9airiotic mind thosc sentiments OF humanity,
and mercy IN the conduct OF var In whose sacred
we pIofcSs 10 .1persne q NE There Is
best way to go 20 war. not ho9stfullh america
an eye and tooth FOR tooth no; cravenly a.
those who say. Ny enemy Is li'tic ana poor so
as in the presence Of the Judge OF all The earth.
and hopefully. fhOr" who love peac" ana believe
never he with ~ war for wars sake" hut n war
mus, come, let It 10 war TO- IN" SAX" OF peace