The Green Forest tribune., 1911-05-26

TIME-Micah prophesied in the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, whc refgned (Beecher) from B. c. 754 to B. c 695
 PLACE-Fe probably lived in his na- tive town, Moresheth-gath. southwest oi Jeusalem
 PROPHETs-Isaiah and Hosea.
 This important lesson deals with subject that is of the greatest moment in cur modern life, prob lem that is rapidly approaching solu- tion. After ages of warfare the world seems nearing the era of peace. h the forming of The Hague Tribunal the world has taken, in our lifetime by far the longest step ever taken toward realizing the Christian ideal of universal brotherhood. But, strange to say, while this has been going on the worlds expenditures in prepara- tion for war have been increased be yond anything the past has known or imagined, so that the cost of mill tant peace has become the worlds heaviest burden. We are to discuss therefore, as a vital, urgent theme: ''The Terrible Evils of War, and the Coming Of the Reign of Peace"
 Micah has been picturing the sins of his nation, and the terrible punish ment that was to come as a result. Now he turns in a flash to a contrast ing picture, the glorious, peaceful reign of Messiah.
 There is no thought that this happy time is to conclude human existence, but it is to be the last stage of hu- man existence, and is to be intending.
 Micah saw the beloved Mount Zion, the eastern, Temple hill of Jerusalem. It was called the tower of the flock, the flock being the Hebrews, and the Temple being compared to the watch tower into which the shepherds went for shelter in a storm or for protec- tion from robbers. It is also called the strong hold. Zion is not a noun tain but only small hill, about 400 feet above the valley; yet the prophet saw it rising grandly and surely un- til 1t was lifted up far above the loftiest summits of the highest noun tains on earth
 He saw restored the first dominion, the glory that was his nations under David and Solomon; yes, even more than that, since he saw many nations flow unto it to learn of the ways of Jehovah, the teachings of the true religion. Flow implies an impetuous, voluntary onrush, like the inward sweep of the 60-foot tides in the Bay of Fundy. Nations then will be born in day" Converts will come by Pentecosts. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. It is from this triumphant Church of God that universal peace will spring. It can not come from any other source.
 The central thought of this magnifi- cent passage is the reign of Messiah, that which all our churches exist to establish. The most striking evidence of that reign is the inauguration of universal peace.
 An effective federation of the na- tions, such as might fitly be called "The United States of the World, , will take the place of war. It will have world constitution, world legislature, a world judiciary, and a world executive, just as individual nations now have these instruments of government. The duel is practical ly abolished in all civilized countries, and men are forbidden to settle their quarrels by force of arms That in- ternational duel called war will soon be seen to be as foolish and wicked.
 We can inaugurate the reign of peace by helping the peace societies do their noble work. By studying the question in Sunday schools and pub lie schools. By an earnest advocacy and study of missions, which do more than anything else to cultivate the spirit of love for other peoples, and understanding of them. By protest ing against the war spirit in con- gress and against the appropriation of vast sums for unnecessary war ships. One battleship' costs S10,000,- 900 to build and S1,000,00O a year to maintain, and is obsolete in 15 years. By refusing to entertain prejudices against men of other races and na- tions, and in private conversations doing what we can to destroy those prejudices.
 What are recent gains in the direc- ton of international peace and fed eration? The establishment of the international court of arbitration at The Hague, which is the beginning of the world judiciary. The enacting by the nations of more than eighty treaties agreeing to submit disputes to The Hague court for arbitration. The peaceful settlement of more than 600 international disputes, some Of them most dangerous, such as that caused by the firing of the Russian fleet upon British fishing vessels in the North sea. The establishing of the Central American high court of nations. The forming of the inter. national bureau of American repub- lies. The placing of beautiful sIdIuo o1 CHiisl upou lno summit or the Andes between Chile and Argen- tina, in token of their agreement not to fight each other. The forming of the nterparliamentary union, a large body made up of members of the vari- ous national parliaments and con- gresses, working steadily for peace. The beginning of a world executive by the formation of many information. al bureaus, such as the universal postal union, the international bu. reau of agriculture, and the interna. tional committee of weights and measures. The growing opposition to war on the part of financial institu. tions and business men and on the