New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-18
CHRISTIANITY AND VAR.

DIR. GROVE SAYS THIS COUNTRY HAS No QUAR-.
REL WITH SPAIN. But WITH HER CHARACTER
The Rev. Dr. ". 5. Grove preached YESTERDAY
morning the Church OF the Eternal Hope on
christianity and War" Among ether things he
SAID:
| must confess that couldn't get away from
succeeded for three months but now + feel as If
must speak. Christianity taught by Christ and
by 81 Paul IS exemplihed in their lives. as under
stood and practised by their immediate disciples.
condemns war. II insists upon a principle of con-
principle OF the New Testament without which
it would be different book, is non-resistance It's
entire philosophy OF the brotherhood of man Is
based upon a demand that physical force shall
never be used TO resist evil II blow Is given.
we must turn me other cheek. II a burglar takes
your coat, give him your cloak also. II bandits
make you 90 mile TO guide them, 30 another
crime, cruelty not to be opposed by force. You
may preach to the thief and the assassin. but you
must not arrest MN. II you i've under an op-
pressivc goVcrnment you must submit to It. You
or FOR the sanctity or your hom". You must submit
10 any form OF tyranny that any band Of black
hearted wretches might impose upon YOU
The men who preached that doctrine believed
that through It evil would be overcome more
suoiimity OF spirit that We can hardly Understand
They would pray for them that dospitefGlly used
mat was the way to overcome evil And think
It would work-if only there were In every genera
Paul.
1t need hardly be said that the Christianity Of the
carly church was not the christianity or the Cos
pei 1t aid not take long for the Church to fashion
the cross into sword-hilt. The Church did not
love It's enemies-it killed them. II did not submit
10 tyrants. but prosecuted on Its own account.
Both the strict views Of the early Christians
FIRST Christians believed that the al
ways Justify the end. the means must he absolutely
precisely tho opposite ground. What We must learn
is that circumstances are Infinitely more important
than theories. What the world requires Is moral
progress. We must look AT the world as 1t Is.
war s justified, IT is sanctifed. II it alone can
secure moral progress-and never otherwise. The
Church has concluded that the modern world knows
great deal NOR about the science OF government
than the New Testament writer's did 4 war which
,nioIs Nay The so.naIed reItrious wars were
mercy theological wars OF conquest
Il IS fact in history that when the world 3D.
vanc'ng I'm moral progress meets an obstacle. the
about 1.-THE obstacle must give way l nat Is
highcs, civilization mus. push on until the earth
has no more harbarians Ignorance Will oppose
somebody must get hurt people that is unjus'ly
taxed must rebel \ nation that IS thrilled by no
love OF liberty must interfere when neighboring
people "a ground beneath tyranny
We have here The people o. he United states.
cratic hernis phcre We have people instinct with
love Of liberty and progress. We nave on the
other hand spain the most corS'' ilNe on '',ou
arches which maintains system or tyranny ana
serfiom that IS menace 20 peace m ms age;
he no cause OF friction between the two nations
B.i there is cuba. which has inbred the ssp.Ilt
q democracy which has long chafed under span,
ism rule How fondly We have trusted that We had
passed Tho ,ime when might have to go 70
war And we never can 50 10 war WIN
a civilized nation again. Between England
and Tho United states for Instance, there can
arise no controversy which the moral sense OF me
two countries viii not arrange peaceaoy. IL -
very different in dealing with nation that is not
civilized a nation OF assassins and hypocrItes'
We have no quarrel with Spain. but with her chir-
a.f.r We have appealed - TWO courts. hrSt pa
ticnce-anl how long We have exercised patience
,nd aiolouacy There is stil chance that
dfrlorna.y NAV secure peace. Heaven grant. Il
rroviIed that the offence is removed II that iaIis
We shall stll have the comfort or knowing tndt
IN. X thrice armed who hath his quarreI Just
u ever In history people has taken up arms
for.h 10 Eight not 'or a strip ~ land, but or any
ealing grounds no. even for vengeance ouI toF
tho drsfruction OF barharism that has become IN
suneratlc and FOR the Advancement OF CIVILIZATION