The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-27
CHRISTIANITY AND WAR.

Recause the conservative element IN
this country have been urging that war
with Spain should be averted, If in honor
If may be. there has been a great outcry
from certain quarters that the money
mower" demands that the country shall
have peace at any price because peace
is necessary to the preservation Of the
business interests Of the country. 1t has
been said on the other hand that Chris
tianity demands that this government
intervene at once in Cuba in order to re-
lleve the distress of the down-trodden
neonle Of that country. and the natural
inference from all this was that Chris
t,anitv demanded war forthwith and
whether or no.
but that all Christians DO not take
that view was demonstrated the other
day at Hinton, w. Va, when the Balti-
moro Annual Conference Of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South, one Of the
largest and most influential religious or
ganizations in this country, adopted the
following resolutions:
Whereas in the past history Of nations,
differences have arisen which led to an
appeal 20 arms, but which might have
been adjusted by arbitration and by
sober counsel; and
Whereas an ominous clour or war
serves to threaten the quiet of our happy
country we, as ambassadors OF the
"Prince of Peace would invoke His re-
straining spirit and Illuminating grace
that those in authority may be so direct
cd and controlled that any occasion for
the arbitrament of the sword and the
shedding OF blood may be arrested, II
possible. and that our people may stil
continue to receive the blessings OF a
peaceful and prosperous life in all honor;
therefore be il
Resolved. That we respectfully request
the presiding Bishop Of the conference to
suspend business at II o'clock on Mon
dav next, and that he lead the confer
ence In prayer TO the great Ruler OF
heaven and earth for the preservation Of
peace and for His divine support of our
chief officers Of state, during this respon-
slble period.
Resolved. That we invite our people
throughout the bounds of the conference
to unite with us in invoking the Father
Of us all. that as a country we may live
as FAR as possible in peace with all ma
tions 10 the honor and glory OF His
name
That these Christian people sympathize
with tho Cuban unfortunates goes with
out saying. and that they would go to
any reasonable length 10 relieve their
distress is a fact that does not need TO
be demonstrated. Moreover. II war
should DO necessary there would be no
Drawer soldiers than those who would be
| found forthcoming from the Methodist
Church South. Methodists are proverbl-
ally high strung. courageous and aggres-
slve, and they would not hesitate TO take
up arms. II duty should call Yet the re-
! personalities Of the Methodist church IN
the Baltimore Conference have declared
that the true aim OF Christianity Is peace
and TO that end they have set apart q
day upon which they shall pray to the
Author OF Peace that his servants. the
| President OF the United States and all
others in authority. may bo so guided
and covered In this emergency and
crisis as that the ends OF humanity may
be served. that Christianity may be pro-
| NOTED, and yet without resort to arms