Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-01
BY w. J. BRYAN

NAC ObAJ SURF Oll6s anu Tile QOIliAHG t1Rl
plies to nations as we'll as to lndividu-
ais. The gospel of the Prince of Peace
gives us the only hope that the world
has-and it is an increasing hope-of
the substitution Of reason for the arbi-
trament of force in the settlement of
international disputes.
But Christ has given us a platform
more fundamental than any political
party has ever written. We are inter-
ested in platforms; we attend conven-
tions, sometimes travelling long dis
tances; we have wordy wars over the
phraseology Of various planks, and
then we wage earnest campaigns to
secure the Endorsement of these plat
forms at the polls. But the platform
given to the world by the Nazarene is
more far-reaching and more compre-
hensive than any platform ever writ
ten by the convention of any party in
any country. When he condensed into
one commandment those of the ten
which relate to mans duty toward his
fellows and enJoined upon us the rule,
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy
SELF" he presented a plan for the solu-
ton of all the problems that now vex
society or may hereafter arise. Other
remedies may palliate or postpone the
day of settlement, but this is all-suf-
ficient and the reconciliation which 1t
effects is permanent one.
Need Arbitration in Labor Disputes
If I were to attempt to apply this
thought to various questions which are
at issue, / might be accused of entering
the domain of partisan politics, but 1
may safely apply to two great prob
lens. First, let us consider the ques-
ton of capital and labor. This is not q
transient issue or a local one. 1t en-
cages the attention of the people of
all countries and has appeared in every
n a INN fnt tn zO
try is arbitration, for neither side to
the controversy can be trusted to deal
with absolute justice, If allowed un-
disputed control; but arbitration, like
a court, is a last resort. 1t would be
better If the relations between en-
ployer and employe were such as to
make arbitration unnecessary. Just in
proportion as men recognize their kim
ship to each other and deal with each
other in the spirit of brotherhood will
friendship and harmony be secured.
Both employer and employe need to
cultivate the spirit which follows from
obedience to the great commandment.
The second problem to which would
apply this. platform of peace is that
which relates to the accumulation Of
wealth. We cannot much longer delay
consideration of the ethics of money
making. That many of the enormous
fortunes which have been accumulated
In the last quarter of a century are
now held by men who have given to
society no adequate service In return
for the money secured is now gener-
ally recognized. While legislation can
and should protect the public from
predatory wealth, a more effective
remedy will be found in the cultiva-
tion of a public opinion which will
substitute a higher ideal than the one
which tolerates the enjoyment of un-
earned gains. No man who really
knows what brotherly love is will de-
sire to take advantage of his neighbor,
and the conscience when not scared
will admonish against injustice. My
faith in the future rests upon the be-
lief that Christ's teachings are being
more studied today than ever before,
and that with this larger study will
come an application OF those teachings
to the everyday life of the world. In
former times men read that Christ
came to bring life and immortality
to light and placed the emphasis upon
Immortality; now they are studying
Christ's relation to human life. In
former years many thought to prepare
themselves for future bliss by life
of seclusion here; now they are learn
ing that they cannot follow in the
footsteps of the Master unless they
go about doing good. Christ declared
that he came that We might have life
and have it more abundantly. The
world is learning that Christ came not
to narrow life. but to enlarge ito
fill it with purpose, earnestness and
happiness.
Only Man Of Faith Courageous
But this Prince of Peace promises
not only peace, but strength. Some
have thought His teachings fit only
nd
suited to men of yigor, energy and am
bition. Nothing could be farther from
the truth. Only the man of faith can
be courageous. Confident that he
fights on the side of Jehovah, he doubts
not the success of his cause. What
matters it whether he shares in the
shouts of triumph? If every word
spoken in behalf of truth has it's in
fluence and every deed done for the
right weighs in the final account, 1t
is immaterial to the Christian whether
his eyes behold victory or whether he
dies in the midst of the conflict.
Yea, though thou lie upon the dust,
When they who helped thee flee in fear,
Die full of hope and manly trust,
Like those who fell in battle here.
Another land thy sword shall WELD.
Another hand the standard wave
Till from the trumpets mouth is pealed
Only those who believe attempt the
seemingly impossible, and, by attempt
ing, prove that one with God can chase
a thousand and two can put ten thou
sand to flight. I can imagine that the
early Christians who were carried in
to the arena to make spectacle for
those more savage than the beasts
were entreated by their doubling COM
panions not to endanger their lives.
But, kneeling in the center of the
arena, they prayed and sang until they
were devoured. How helpless they
seemed, and, measured by every hui
man rule, how hopeless was their
causel And yet within a few decades
the power which they invoked proved
mightier than the legions of the en-
peror, and the faith in which they died
was triumphant DER all the land. 1t
is said that those who went to mock
at their sufferings returned asking
themselves, what is 1t that can enter
into the heart of man and make him
die as these die?" They were greater
conquerors in their death than they
could have been had they purchased
life by a surrender of their faith.
What would have been the fate Of
had as little faith as many of our
Christians now have? And, on the
other hand, If the Christians of today
had the faith of the martyrs, how long
would it be before the fulfillment OF
the prophecy that every knee shall
bow and every tongue confess?
Our faith should be even stronger
than the faith of those who lived 1000
for GOO o11r ralfor4or,