The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-02
REV. }. d. JORDAN AGAINST WAR.
Charges the Politicians With the
Conflict with spain.

Conflict with spain.
Rev. John d. Jordan took the position
in his sermon on the war with Spain at
the First Baptist Church last night that If
the affairs of this country had been wise
" managed the conflict of nations might
have been averted. lie said he believed
the politicians, with whom the tempta-
ton Is great where there Is chance for a
political stroke, had largely precpitated
the war
The sermon was timely. because of the
intense war feeling which now exists. The
announcement of the topic which was
made at the morning service and through
the newspapers, drew a large congrega-
ton anxious to hear DR.. Jordan's views
on the conflict. For the most part the
ministers have had little to say on the
war, other than to mention it incidentally
in prayers, which fact probably couuibut-
ted TO the interest manifested in Rev. DR.
Jordans discourse.
Scriptural grounds rivetcd the truth full
ness of the sermon, the text of which was
from Isaiah. 90: "Oh, house Of Jacob
come We and let us walk In the light of
the Lord" The application in the text Is
that there is a possibility of a reconcile
alton between the countries If they would
come together as Christian nations with
the determination TO amicably settle the
questions over which the war started
My belief is that the war should be
discussed, said Rev. Jordan. ''by one not
under the influence of a warlike spirit.
When in a neighborng city some time
ago it was my privilege 10 be the guest
n If Ia
news Of the war declaration had been re-
ceived a message was sent to the officer
that one of his men had just been in
jured in the knee. The injury, of course,
was understood and by this time there
are doubtless many afflicted with this
same weakness
Sin is at the bottom of war" said DIT.
Jordan. In all contests and clashes
where human hearts and human lives
have been involved. from the time of
Cain and Abel until now, sin has been
their beginning. When individuals fight
and strike at one another, the lncontro-
vertable cause in every instance is sin,
and the result is brutality. Wrong must
exist on one side or the other. as both
combatants capnot be in the right. While
] have always cultivated the spirit of
bravery. l would rather have my feelings
encroached upon than go into a contest
stand in the attitude of one with chip
on one shoulder defying the world to
knock IL off. Contests are sometimes nee
essary i'm behalf of honor, truth and
Righteousness, but on the contrary. they
are not unfrequenty waged from selfish,
greedy, grasping passions.
"Baptists have not been warlike as de-
nomination" continued Rev. Jordan, "but
they have always been patriotic. During
h.a De- hi
try sought for the liberty. then so much
esteemed and since so much abused. nc
denomination volunteered more cheerfully
or placed men in the field more willingly
than the Baptists. In one instance an en-
tire congregation followed the pastor IN
response TO a summons. After Gen. Wash
ingtoh was elected to the presidency, he
complimented the Baptists of the colonies
for their bravery and patriotism.
''As to the Cuban war, In the last few
years Cuba has become prominent for the
religious work done there In behalf of It's
people. BY the Baptist Church alone q
mission was established on the island, q
building procured in which to conduct ser
vices and a missionary was sent there q
devout man. but by Spanish intolerance he
was not allowed to continue his work long
being forced to leave the island. 1t is there
fore that our religious sympathies seem tc
y
whether this war is wise or hasty, bu
since il has been declared, every American
should stand by the honor of the nation.
Il am impressed" DR.. Jordan continued
that the idle masses have clamored foI
war There has been no crys for it by the
cool, conservative, business men, none oil
whom seem 10 be anxious for conflict
BY many the question is asked, however
do you advise that 1 enlist?' My answer
Is No That is question to be settled
between you and your God. If l were &
assume this responsibility and sad new!
should soon come to the mother or father
of the boy advised, should keenly fee
the misfortune AS for myself l shall
not go unless the need is greater thar
now. If there are those who want to go
others who may not desire to do so now
can remain as a protection to home inter
ests on the coast and elsewhere"
DR.. Jordan concluded by expressing tn
earnest hope that there might ultimatell
be gospel peace between the two war
ing nations. Anything short of that woul,
simply be a compromise and would no
settle differences forever. When nation
are built on truth and justice it is pro
claimed that the point of the 'bayonet ant
the mouth Of cannon shall not be require,
to maintain peace.
individuals should take as much inter
est ana be as jealous concerning thel
own welfare, he said, as that of the coun
try. He wanted to see the individual rul
himself in a religious, honest, upright life
The danger within, he thought, was NOR
10 be feared than that without. He ad
vised none 10 go to Cuba. but did advis
all TO wage war on sin and take God int
their hearts. Those who go should ex
pect to fight to death and should consig
their souls to God. Until converted, h
said. they should remember they are with
out the peace that passeth all understand
ing and takes away all iniquity