South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-07
PRESENT WAR IS
OFFENSE To GOD
Had European Nations Submit
ted Their Differences to
Tribunal of Peace War
Could Have Been Averted.

There are two ways in which the
friends Of God may wound Him. and
both are due TO the failure of His
professed followers TO conform to the
character of God" said Rev. H. l..
Davis at the First NJ. f. church Sun
day morning.
His subject was The Wounded
Hand" and the text was taken from
Zach. 1876. These are the wounds
which 7 received in the house of my
friends"
Anything which pertains TO the
suffering and death OF Christ is of in
terest To Christian people, but the text
refers to sufferings much more Sc
we're than those on the cross as they
were received IN the house Of friends
''The death of Christ on the cross
was received at the hands Of enemies
but many more sufferings come from
those who profess 10 be followers OF
Him said Mr.. Davis.
There are two elements in the
character of God. and the first is that
lie is holy. He acts always by right
tOus standards for Himself and eX-
poets men also TO act according to
standards OF Righteousness. Men often
refuse TO live according 70 these stan
cards. however" said the speaker. and
cited the wars between the Christians
and Protestants OF early days, the
period of witchcraft and slavery. and
said that these Institutions were often
upheld by professed Christians
People are commanded TO live in
business and righteousness but they
pften fail. Take as an example the
present war in Europe. Ii is being
carried on by nations which profess
10 be Christian nations and which
acknowledge religion. Priests and
ministers in these countries are pray
Ing for the success OF their country's
arms.
eff these people had been willing
to submit their differences TO the trib-
uual of peace. and by so doing con-
form to the spiritual teachings Of
christ. this war would have been
averted. But their appeal to the ar
titrament of the sword is an ofISnse
30 Cod. made doubly so by their pro-
Tossing Of Christianity.
"A second element Of Gods char
Rcter is the element of love. Love
Is made up of two opposing elements.
Love desires TO impart itself 10 the
object and also desires to possess its
object The chief desire of God is to
Impart His Self and nature TO man
kind and also TO possess mankind for
Himself. To do this He gave His son
10 die. but followers of Him have not
set come 10 the place where they
are ready TO make sacrifices to join
Him in possessing the world for Him
self
I'm 1909 in America there were only
two converts for every minister and
In 1911 of the 22.00O.00O PrOtestants
In North America only 100000 were
brought into the church.
AS we come into the presence of
Christ on the last day. and see the
wounds in His hands. and ask Him
where He received them. He will tell
Us that He received them in the house
OF His friends"
Rev. =. II. Gibson Of Massachusetts.
Eon-in-law OF Geo. Reyler Of this city,
occupied the pulpit at the evening
services
The following program was pre-
sented by the full vested choir which
began its winter season Sunday under
the direction Of Frederic w Berry
man: organ prelude. Autumn
Sketch" Johnson; introit anthem.
The Path OF the lust" Harker: of.
fertory anthem. 20 Pray for the
Peace OF Juerusalen." Knox: postlude
In c, by Reach. The evening pro-
gram was as follows. Prelude inter
mezzo. by Masscagin anthem. Lord
for Thy Tender Mercies Sake" by
Farrant: offertory anthem. "A Dream
Of Paradise" by Gray: postlude,
March Triumphale. Flagler.