The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-08-10
CONFLICT MAY Open
WAY TO UNIVERSAL
PEACE SAYS BRIDGE
Armies Drawing Men and
Money From Field of Pro-
duction Shame and Crime,
Cries Pastor.

Cries Pastor.
Through the European war the peo-
pie may be led to see that giant ar
mics drawing men and money from the
field Of production are burden upon
the poor and a crime against the
world, and seeing this enormous folly
disarm. said the Rev. U. S. A. Bridge
IN his morning sermon at the Grace
Methodist church yesterday.
The pastor denounced the metnoos
of the war lords of Europe and praised
the efforts of the United States Tor
universal peace.
An excerpt from his sermon fol-
lows:
III the fact were not before us, we
should say that the greatest war OF all
time would be impossible in the pres
ent period of the worlds greatest
Christian enlightenment. 1t is evident
that the European nations have not
read their Bibles Alright. With all their
profession Of faith in Christ, their
learning. culture and advancement
they are manifesting the spirit OF
Christ.
Peace was the dream of the old
phophets. Isaiah speaks OF time to
come when the nations would disarm,
convert the implements of war into
those of peace and learn war no more.
Then war between individuals, faml-
lies, tribes, nations was almost the uni
versal activity.
That day was to come after Son
should be born whose name would be
the Prince of Peace. That prophecy
was fulfilled at the time the angels
sang, Glory to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, good will to men," His
doctrines of love and brotherhood have
already performed great service"
Traces Evolution.
The Rev. Mr.. Bridge then outlined
the evolution of peace through the ELI
mination of the duel and private war.
"A world protesting love for the
Prince of Peace can not consistency
settle it's disputes by war. Resort to
force is foreign to the spirit of Chris
tianity. Appeal to brute force which
results In murder and destruction has
not the least sanction of the Gospel Of
Love. 1t is farthest from harmony
with the message of Glad Tidings. Ac-
cording to it differences are to be set
tied. not by force, but by reason. Law
and order are to take the place of war.
The armed peace of the world has
been scandal and a disgrace to
Christendom. That mad activity in in
creasing ornaments ought to have
made statesmen, thinking men, and
especially Christian men blush with
shame. Adequate defense none will
question. However, when there shall
be an international police force, there
will be no need to talk about defense.
That force will be nations defender.
The worse than childish increase in
armies and navies can not be excused
Armed Peace Shame.
The expense of an armed peace is
exhorbitant and Is contributing to ma
tional bankruptcy. 1t is one of the
causes of the high cost of living. Ev.
cry family in the United States can
not be taxed one and one-half per cent
of its annual income without it feeling
a burden. In Europe the rate is high.
er. Modern ornaments require the in
vestment of vast sums Of money which
has no economic power, and the with
drawal of men from the sphere of pro
ducers. When there is so much hun
ger. suffering and so many enjoy only
limited supply of the necessaries Of
life, it is crime, a sin to waste mon
ey and men in ornaments. The en-
1ightened common sense of the people
cries, shame! The judgment of the
Christian world condemns it. The
Word of God cries out against it.
Worst of all, heavy ornaments only
partially maintain peace They do not
reduce, but rather tend to increase
mistrust, hatred and the likelihood Of
war. A man carrying a concealed
weapon will use it sometimes on the
slightest provocation. At least he is
likely to use it when there is not E
shadow of justification. Europe with
out it's heavy ornaments would have
found way to be blind to some re
cent provocations. 1t is likely tina
some of the nations would not have
been so ready to knock the chip off the
shoulder of strutting monarch.
Heavy ornaments tend to defea
parleys whose purpose is peace, which
thing has happened on both hemis
pheres recently.
U. S. Seeks Peace.
The abolition Of war can not be Cd
posed by reasons that are worthy. The
peace movement may be opposed by
an influential section of the none,
trust. The aristocratic ambitions ant
prctenses of those who make war ;
profession may be advanced. Some
may fear that if nations learn war ne
more. somehow their prerogatives ma,
be interfered with. These reasons, ant
others like them are unworthy and are
not to be allowed to even retard the
universal reign of the Prince of Peace
1t is to the credit of the United
States that it has rendered it's office.
as mediator. Americas history, it:
traditions and its position among thu
nations Of the earth urge it to the ut
most endeavor to promote information
al peace. 1t is Christian nation anc
must honor the Prince of Peace BY
consistent and persistent effort to tha
end. The sens of men everywhere mus
by its action be hidden to hope for the
early removal of the burdens of armed
peace, and suffering and death on the
field of carnage.
The day seems about to dawn wher
the nations of the earth will disarn
and learn war no more and the world
wide reign Of the Prince of Peace will
DO fact.
The gigantic war now raging acros.