The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-04
THE TIMES: RICHMOND VA SUNDAY. MARCH 1000:
Christ as tie
c5rue Qrbitrator.
By Sebastian Martincll:, Delegate

BY Sebastian Martincll:, Delegate
Apostolic to the Catholic Church.
The word arbitration. although a
proper derivation from the Latin, de-
rives its importance in the language or
all nations as a term OF modern sdlplo-
macy. Arbitration. so called, has no the
illogical Significance When we speak OF
Christ as an advocate of universal peace
we mean that If the followers OF Christ
would follow the greatest OF Ills com
mands, Love thy nelghbor as thyseH,
there would be no warfare, no inter
national complications, no family quar-
rels, none of the ills which nave mace
the descendants of Adam unhappy. IN
the Testaments we find no evidence "
what is now called arbitration In the
political sense.
The words Of the Redeemer, as trans
united 10 US by HIS loving followers, show
us that His mission on earth related en-
circly to spiritual affairs and not to those
of temporal import. He healed the SICK,
conforted the sorrowful and for the first
time in the history Of mankind preached
the doctrine of universal brotherhood.
His arbitra ton was entirely confined to
things of the soul, as in the instance OF
che sinful woman who was condemned to
ibe stoned. and in the other example OF
the people who wished to know If it was
lawful to pay tax to Caes To the
first he made that reply which rs an
eternal answer to the hypocrites who
endeavor to make stock Of the sins of
other people in order to hide their own
LET him that is without sin among
We cast first the Stone.' TO the second
he made that reply which embodied with
III 9. few simple words more philosophy
than all the sases of the world In all
the ages of the world have complied IN
their ponderous volumes-"Renderu unto
Caesar the things that are Caesars,
and unao God the things that are Coo S.
PATRIOTISM.
This sentence has been considered by
the doctors Of the canon and civil law,
They have written learned trea'sSes about
the rights OF man. the duties OIL the
citizens and the obligations Of the state,
but none has surpassed the simple d.
RICHNESS of this command. lis very SIM
plicity is its merit 1t is Impossible 10
enhance its meaning by explanation. The
Saviour says, render first all patriotic
duty, and then. being a good citizen. dis
charge YOUR obligations to God. Man
cannot be a lover of the divine goodness
unless he is true to, his civic obligations
This sentence IS the greatest incentive
to patriotism.
If arbitration were based upon this
axiom of right and justice the horrors
OIL I1lDuclN wal 1ie. NJ" % >-NN4S ''o-No
to thousands, would be impossible.
But Christ after preaching the divine
doctrine Of universal peace and univer-
sal brotherhood was condemned to
death by the people whom he had ben
Gifted most, spiritually and Temporarily
He was accused as a disturber of the
public peace, and for the alleged good OF
He should die.
In this death of Christ we see not
only the consurnnlation of the divine
goodness and will FOR the redemption OF
mankind, but we realize the bitter
truth that those who labor to elevate
human kind must encounter the re-
lentless :ngratltude of the human heart.
The doctrine of universal brotherhood
presrpposes arbitration as the method
of settling disputes of brathers in tenn
iporal affairs. The doctrine of Christ
was the doctrine of brotherhood and in
Guided arbitration as the highest amei-
ioration Of human conditions.
The word arbitration has many mean
ings, but the term used as the final re-
course of nations to avoid conflicts IS
the broadest and most important.
Although the term, as stated before, is
an expression Of modern diplomacy ar
duration in regard to political difficult
ties has been practiced from time I'M
memorial.
PREVENTED SAVAGERY-
During the Middle Ages the Roman
Pontiffs We're the orbitrators in at
fairs of worldwide importance. TT IL
true they were not always successful in
preventing the shedding Of blood. but
their influence prevented sava gerry in
warfare and the Peace OF Cod" which
they constantly proclaimed as duty up
on all Christians, often gave t1e oppor-
tunity for cooler counsels 10 prevail.
The present ,Paontitf Leo XIII. is an ar
dent advocate of arbitration. He would
have willingly acted as umpire in the
Spanish-Anericar war to prevent blood
she'd, just as he acted as mediator be-
tween Spain and Germany in the case
OF the Caroline Islands dispute.
The Holy- Father would gladly have
used his good offices to prevent war In
the Transvaal, in the Philippines or be-
tween any ma tons of the earth. They
are all the children Of the Heavenly
Father, and all have equal claim to the
paternal solicitude of the Vicar OF Christ
on Earth.
Leo XIII. has written eloquently on
the subject OF arbitration. It would be
the crowning glory OF his pontificate If
the nations should. with earnest accord,
submit the difficulties to a court Of med
iatlon.
The calling together OF a peace con-
gress at The Hague seemed to premise
much but subsequent events have prov
ed that the lofty ideas presented at
that conference have not borne fruit.
The nations are self-seeking. and the
time seems far distant when the doctrine
OF Love thy neighbor as myself will
be practiced as well as preached.