The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-09
PROCLAMATION OF PEACE
Rev. DR.. James Hughes Referred to
the South African War in His
Sermon Yesterday.

The Rev. DIR. James Hughes preached
morning on "The Proclamation ol
| Peace"
Referring to the happy ending of the
war in South Africa, he said the most
successful and eventful period of his
life was spent in that country, the very
soil of which was dear to him. for three
of his beloved children sleep there wait
| ing the resurrection of the dead. Con-
tinuing he said:
Great has been the rejoicing of Chris
tian nations during the past week, and
especially has it been great among the
Christian people of the vast British peo-
pie of the vast British empire, on ac-
count of the cessation of hostilities and
the restoration of peace in South Africa.
Millions of devout souls have sincerely
thanked God for the termination of that
strife which has not only consumed un-
known treasure and drenched the coun-
try with blood, but has kept much of
the civilized world in state of feverish
excitement for more than two years and
a half.
What led up to the outbreak of hos
Titles has now become historic and read
ing. thinking men have made up their
minds as to the "causus belli," so there
is no occasion for giving any opinion
thereon, even If this were a proper time
and a suitable occasion to do so.
Both the British and the Bocr have
their friends and their foes. some of
whom have spoken out with considerable
vehemence and much irritating acrimony.
In many instances passion has been
famed into white heat by profusion
of violent inflammatory expressions from
the platform and the press, much of
which tended to augment and extend the
conflagration of war. But now, as the
British and Boer have shaken hands. it
would be we'll for the sympathizcrs of
those former bellgcrents to follow their
example and bury the hatchet.
That terrible war not only paralyZed
commerce in that sunny land, but it vio-
lcntly checked the progress of missionary
operations and dcmoralizcd those native
tribes who had partially emerged from
the barbarity and superstition of rank
heathcnism.
1t not only devastated the county: the
bounty of harvest and the reward of in
dustry We're consumed in a moment or
trampcled under foot. while famine and
pcstilence followed the steps of dcsola-
ton.
Many of the inhabitants fled with their
helpless babes in all directions. not "A
few of them miserable rugitives on their
native soil. Brave men We're harassed
with tiresomc marches and perpetual
alarms. their life became continued scenes
of hardships and danger They grew fa-
miliar with hunger. cold and watchful-
ness. Crowded into hospitals and prisons,
contasion spread among their ranks until
the ravagcs of disease nearly equaled
those of tho enemy.
Thank God. and let all who love peace
thank God. that there Is a happy end
to this horrible state of things. and that
the sounds OF peaceful industry and the
jubilant notes of a reconciled people are
being heard in that land of ancient re-
nOwn.
BY the termination of this war; God has
opened wide a door for the large sur
plus population of many countries. ard
is at the same time inviting the churches
with a loud voice to send out men and
means to Christianize those sable sons.
Well might the children of God rejoice
on the proclamation of peace and earnest
ly should we embrace this opportunity to
shed the light of life in those regions of
darkness and death. May the war be-
tween capital and labor, with all It's hor-
rors, soon come to an end.