The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-11-15
GREAT BURDENS ON
EUROPEAN CHURCHES
bis An Hour For Camness and Vision, American Peace
Conference Delegates Declare in Report Meeting Held
at Const Methods of Brute Force Unchristian

concerning the recent momentous con-
ference OF the Church Peace Union.
which conference, begun at Constance
on Sunday. August 2. was continued
In London on Wednesday, August s.
In so doing we are following the ex-
ample OF the English delegates to the
conference. whose terse and weighty
utteranee to the brethren In England
was published In the London Times
Daily Chronicle. and other newspapers
on August 6.
In making this report we are Att
thorized to speak substantially for the
entire body of American delegates to
the Church Peace Conference
An Hour For Caimness and Vision.
1t la significant that this hrst In
ternatIonal conference of the churches
for the promotion of friendship and
peace between the nations OF the world
occurred at moment when we were
all obliged TO witness amazing de-
velopment of the war fever, and the
widespread misery caused on all sides
by the mere preparations for battle
and we have had a unique opportunity
to witness the sincere and profound
reluctance with which the sober and
serious element In every nation con-
cerned has found itself involved in the
imminent cataclysm. Whatever the I'M
mediate outcome may be, are more
than confident and convinced that this
sober and serious element OF every
Christian nation lis now. always,
moving under the guidance and bless
ing Of Almighty God. Our Father. Our
dismay Is not despair; No note OF
pessinsm has been heard at any of
the four sessions of our conference.
There is a general consciousness that
now more than ever we are called to
cooperate In the spirit of Jesus Christ
so that no self-wiiI or bitterness or
impatiAnce on our part shall cloud our
vision. or hinder us from seixing the
opportunity which God is giving US
to do His will In the world--waitIng
upon the Lord.
Our Christian Ideaiism II Confirmed
This war. so far from indicating the
futility of our plans and endeavors
or the foolishness of Christian idealtsna.
is demonstrating that the methods OF
brute force. and OF inconslderate ego
tism. are as uninteliigent and ineffi-
cient as they are unchristian. We are
witnessing the reduction ad absurd
dunn of unchristian civilization; for
peace is not TO be secured by prepare
tons for war teven II unchristian men
compel their brothers In self-defense
and for the sake of sacred treaties. to
make ready for war;. Not that 1t Is
IN the interests Of peace to helittle the
shirt OF patriotism, but 70 Christiantze
1t. Like our laws and our culture, our
education and commerce and indus
trialism. so. too. our very patriotism
must be prevailed hv the mind OF Christ
and be ready for d seipline OF the cross
the sign and symbol. not merely of
brotherly love. but of international
love, over against the shortsightednes
and selfishness OF individuals and reo-
pies AS we dispense to our homes and
fatherland that Is the message we are
bringing from this conference: and II
Is first and foremost a call to interna-
tional humiliation and prayer in the
name and confidence of Christ. The
time for men 80 prevent war Is not
when events are eliminating, but far.
far back at the springs OF human con-
duct, individual, national and interna-
tional Let us see to 1t that hence
forth "ali our fresh springs are In
God"
The Harder Task Of the Churches Of
Europe.
This Is not the moment to dwell on
the practical steps which may be taken
by us all In common to promote peace
among the nations. Some such steps
will appear I'm the four resolutions
which are to be published In due time
ny the International committee Oh our
conference. Others will be disclosed
afterwards, Meanwhile we desire to
emphasize the fact that has been borne
In on us by contact with the workers
for the peace movement in England
and Europe generally--that more prob
lens than we Americans were aware
OF are on the shoulders of those who,
under God, are now leading the church
es OF Europe: and we are grateful to
our Heavenly Father for the skill and
wisdom and self-control which. In this
trying ordeal. have been vouchsafed
to them. For Ave years previous to
the formation Of our Church Peace
Union, these, our brethren, on this.
the Eastern side Of the Atlantic, have
been paving tho way for what IL now
our common task. and It 10 their actual
knowledge Of men and means In the
different nations Of Europe which made
1t possible for our frst International
Church Conference for the promotion
OF peace to be SO widely and thorough
ty representative.
The Hour of Our Opportunity.
We. In America. have much TO con-
tribute henceforth to tho common