Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-12-22
Christmas.
From The Jefersonian, by J. l.. LODGE,
d. d., Editor

ID. d., Editor.
"On earth peace, good will toward man.
Luke 214. So, the common version Later,
and much better, translations of the Greek,
"toward men of his good pleasure" IL is
interesting, further, To know that the Vulgate
Latin, and some copies thereof, AS the Alex
andrian, and Beza's versions read "psace on
earth to men of good will" Was the an
gelic voice a proclamation, or prophecy 7
Neither Reasons Tor this view Will be gwen
presently There is no reference TO the
external peace then universally existent
throughout the world none to that unal
Logged state of mind enjoyed by the blest in
the future world nor to the spiritual frame
resultant from the prOptiatory sacrifice, tor
that was vet in the future. Peace means
the man himself, his other name, as In Ephes
2:14. The good will" expressed is not that
gracious feeling entertained by one man for
another but reveals the attitude OF the Divine
mind toward his chosen people But, while
not indicated in this particular passage, be-
nevolent intentions taking form In action
are gladly recognized as the na'ural and
certain effect of the dominancy of Christian
principle. All the kindness in the world ID
directly or remotely due to the Influence
exerted upon human nature by the pertec
tons Of the Divine nature.
Did the heavenly host utter prophecy
Did they expect 10 realize, as the conse.
auence of the first advent Of the Savior, that
epoch rapturously sung by sacred poets,
predicted by holy sages, and hoped for by a
suffering and sorrowing world Ii they did,
they were mistaken, though they took their
message from the mouth OF the eternal.
This would be TO limit the Divine knowl'
edge, and lessen OmnlpOtent power. Only
such minds could receive this as try 10 be
lieve that God bungles at his work, like
man, necessitated repeatedly 10 renew the
attempt, and never able TO be quite certain
that IL will stand. II the angels 80 under
stood the burden OF their song, they must
stand weeping day, as they view the
progress OF the world toward peace. With
Europe spending thousand mllllonsa year
upon ornaments and the englnery oil de-
struction, with wars and rumors Of war pre-
vailing over almost the whole world, a bit
Ter wall of sorrow must have taken the
place Of the shout Of JOY. The Hague Con
ference was notable event, in more than
one regard but, with probably two OF three
exceptions, the delegates had neither sin
cerity nor confidence In their work. Prating
of peace, every nation represented was as
siduously preparing for war.
" INDUSTRIOUS LTcdCDeTy Nhu IulH We 81
That in alliance, amity, and oaths,
There should be found such false dlsscm.
bling guile?
A few more days, and nineteen hundred
years since the birth Of Christ will have
passed. Yet TO day, the world robber, with
her "Christian" queen, her fifty thousand
churches, her missions covering half the
globe, confident in illimitable resources, Is
waging mean and relentless war upon a
brave, peace loving, religious little republic
for no other reason and with no other Intent
than TO steal her gold and diamonds.
Another country, Of late years vain glori-
ously styling itself a "nation," with its hun
dred thousand churches, and It's manifest
destiny" TO pillage, rob, and conquer, In the
name of Humanity" is engaged 10 "civiliz-
ing" through means of butchery, weak
and helpless people who never had single
rum mill 10 their largest city till their
"Ohristian" conquerOrs planted there one
hundred and fifty saloons In less than
single year And these two "Chrlstian"
nations have suddenly discovered that they
love each other very much. The most de-
generate Of one Of them even shamelessly
propose an alliance with the crueest, most
rapacious, most hypocritical power on earth.
Strangely forgetful Of '76, '12 IA, and that
Dol IOr the genuine phtrlOtlsu anu hnOu-
less courage Of Americans Infinitely nobler,
purer, cleaner than themselves, every man
Of US would be base England's slave this
hourl
What Is most dscouraging 10 real Chris
tians, and 10 all who pursue the things
which make for peace, Is that men who pro-
less 70 be preachers Of the gospel OF peace,
and 70 take their commissions from the
Prince Of Peace, are the mot fiery advocates
OF wholesale slaughter They dare 70 say,
in their pulpits, and over their own sigma.
tures, that this hellsh work Is Of God, and
part Of bis plan 10 spread the glad news OF
peace. They hold that II will glorily God
| 10 slay one half population 10 their sins
that these preachers may have chance 10
"convert" the other half. These are out
side the Great Commission
Such a. do build their faith upon
The holy text Of pike and gun,
Decide all controversies by
Iniallible artillery,
And prove their doctrine orthodox,
BY apostolic blows and knocks