The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-05

keeps progressing toward the religion
of Jesus Christ, for the simple reason
that the aim and object of all human
laws is to fine, imprlson, or pehead az az
their violators. While the gospeI o.
Jesus is the gospel of peace anu sooo
will to all men,
In other words, human laws are
founded upon justice, demanding an
eye for an eye, and {o0tn If FG 1oye saws saws
resist not evil, but whatsoever smiteth
US upon the right cheek, turn TO mn mn
the other also, simply because we can
Love is the fulfilling of the law Tor
mans conduct. Yet Christians are con-
stantly talking about ChrlstlanltS az
warfare, and, like my well meaning put
mistaken brother. Dr. Countermine.
saying that like Grant and Funston,
they purpose to push the battle 70 tne
fnish.' If Christ said, II my klnguo ON
were of this world, then Would my
servants fight''-John Is. S6-Who IS
right, Christ or the doctor?
The end of law of justice is to nave
billy, levy the fine, incarcerate the
prisoner, strange the murderer, denanu
as our representative, the eye 1or thS
eye. and the tooth for the tooth. But
believe Christ said, RESIST not eVA -
Matt. 8, SO.
The world looks complacently on in a
case of attack and defense, but 1t mas
been filled with shame and sorrow for
10 centuries in the case of the one whose
heart was so filled with love that when
the nails had been driven into his feet
He offered His hands to be pierced
likewise, and as the blood dripped from
His wounds asked the forgiveness OF
his slayers. Shall we forgive our brotn-
ers their trespasses and thus win their
hearts by love, or shall we fight 1t out,
and push the battle to the finish
So, my brothers, if the thrill of love
can be sent along the arm as 1t strikes
the blow; if the prisoner can be MADE
he e ifle
window of love as he looks between
the bars; if the murderer can be made
to feel that he is being bound in the
cords of love as the rope Strangles him,
we are following Christ when we push
the battle to the finish" Otherwise
politics and religion are as unmixable
as the thiclest oil and the thinnest wa
ter.
If the whistle of the bullet is not the
whisper of love, better not pull the trig-
ger. If the shrek of shot does not
harmonic with the chords that are
struck by the tender touch of the great
and eternal Musician, better not charge
the cannon. If the bursting of shell is
not in tune with the melody that peals
forth from the hearts of angels, better
not ignite the powder.
Is it not time for the church to find
out where it is at? Whether it is
church of war, or a church of peace?
Are we following the old law of justice
that demands an eye for an eye and a
tooth for tooth, or Christ's law of love?
Will Jesus have all men drawn unto
Him, or driven unto Him? Why tell
the world that Christ is our guide. and
then refuse ourselves to follow Him?
Why tell the world that Christ told us
these things. and then show by our
actions that we don't believe it, or that
He didn't know what He was talking
about? Why sing that we will follow
Jesus all the way. and then, like Peter
deny our Lord when we see the first
blow about to fall? If love is the
greatest power on earth, why use a
weaker one, my brother? If since the
days of Christ, church members had be-
come such upon a pledge to be guided
by the spirit of love in all their conduct
toward God and man, where would be
all the problems that confront civiliza-
ton today? T. r. HAWKS.