The Cape weekly tribune. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1914, 1914-10-11
CAPE Glraraeau Latherans. Pray
Thai European Conflict Viii End

this he would have said if it were
wrong under every circumstance to
carry on war. What does John tell
these soldiers to do? "Do violence to
no man neither accuse any falsely;
and be content with your wages"
In the Epistle to the Hebrews men
are praised as heroes of faith who
have excelled in war, such as Gideon
and Jephthae, David and others.
Whenever, therefore the country is
in danger and the government calls to
arms, Christians may and shall follow
this call and fight valiantly and be as
sured of the favor of God; they may
and shall pray to God for his assist
ance and protection and if they be
stricken by a hostile bullet, they will
surely depart in peace with God and
die happy.
The next question for our consider
alton is: Why does Lord suffer wars
to occur? Wars are horrible; even a
just war is calamity. Words are in
adequate to describe the horros of war.
What miseries, what sorrows follow
in the wake of war. Think of the suf-
ferings of the wounded and dying SOL
diers, of the widows and orphans, of
the countries left desolate and devast-
ated, of the cities and villages ruined,
etc. Surely we all must wish, that
wars would cease forever, that the eff
forts of the peace societies would be
crowned with success, that all difficult
ties between nations would be settled
by arbitration.
But it is a forlorn hope. As long
as human nature remains as it is,
selfish, revengeful, arrogant and
naughty, it will be impossible to have
perpetual peace. In our text the Lord
clearly predicts that as a sign of the
last times, We shall hear of wars and
rumors of war, that nations and king
doms shall rise up against each other,
all these things must come to pass.
God suffers it to be so. Surely he
sits on his throne of power, he could
prevent wars and compel the nations
to live at peace with one another. Why
doe he let people go to war? He uses
war as a means to punish people.
Among the four visitations with which
God threatens to punish the sins of
men, the prophet Ezekiel names war
as the first and foremost. The wick
ed inhabitants of Conan were pun
ished by war. Cyrus the king of Per-
STA is called the servant Of the Lord
because through him the Lord punish
ed the Babylonians for their crlelties
toward his people of Israel. The Lord
punished his own Maynard people by
inficting war upon them.
Even if a nation is justified in car
rying on war, it is punishment. The
Lord Furnishes the wicked and calls
others to repentance. All should learn
to know that he is the Lord and to
fear him.
Observe the life of tine nations of
Europe during the last 50 or 20 years.
What general falling away from the
paths of righteousness; what crimes
against God and nature m all the
countries now engaged in war. Sure
ly the Lord has manifold reasons TO
lift up his arms in wrath.
But are there not Oh: istians among
them? Must not so many suffer in
nocently? 'Tis true. Still God does
not make any mistakes. He does not
forsake his people; He knows many
ways to protect and save them.
Here also applies Cali thing work
together for the good, to them that
fear and love Cod" although we may
not be able to see it. As war is
means in the hands of God to cast in
to utter destruction those who will moi
mend their ways, so it is also means
whereby he gathers unto himself
thousands of those who put their trust
in Him.
One more question comes up for our
consideration: What should be our at
titude toward this war?
We are deeply concerned, our heart
goes out to our suffering brethren; we
are filled with worry, as to what the
outcome will be. But what can we do?
Are we powerless? We can do much
for our brethren across the waters.
We can contribute to aid the wounded
and furnishing. We can do more: We
canprayfor them. Let scoffers ridicule
the idea of the efficacy of prayer; the
Bible assure US '"The effectual fervent
prayer of the righteous man availeth
much"
Our country is at peace with all ma
tions. Do we all recognize what a
great blessing this is? Why do VIC
have peace? Some saw because VIC