The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-09-14
wholesome reflections for Americans:
Truer Basis of Rulers.


War will develop a truer basis of
values We will learn again that man
hood is more than mamTon. 1t will
teach US the insufficiency Of mere
! things, the folly of specU alton, nose
| credit and fast living. One clean lin D
| ed boy is worth more than the whole
| of Europe. art galleries and all!
We will learn to curtail our luxuries,
our licenticus pleasures, our insolent
pride Not only must wisdom and
| moderation be our motto, but we must
practice it.
We will learn the wickedness of imi-
| tating European styles in manners and
morals, from her practical abolition OF
Sunday and higher criticism OF the
Bible to the latest disreputable trans
parent dress or newest dance!
In an especial manner it will teach
us the uncertainty and moral effect
Of high finance upon our nation, of
all sorts OF business done On paper
watered Stocks in essence nothing but
speculation upon futures.
/ Many have hoped to heap up GER
tain riches, then to repeat the folly of
the man OF the parable: Soul. cat,
drink, for thou hast much goods laid
up for many years." Whereas the
Bible is full Of warnings about the
uncertainty and despiritualizing effect
of wealth. So much so, that the Great
Prince of Peace makes riches a cru
cial subject in his teachings. Yet many
think like Job did: 81 thought to die
in my nest"
While God has his purpose in war,
his final government must be gov
errment of peace. Perhaps we can de-
vine some plausible results. Suppose
it becomes the end of Monarchy! Sup
pose the dream of our fathers of a
pure democracy was God-given, and
spreads over Europe! The peace party
will almost surely grow by this war,
and crowned heads who started it
from a comforta ole distance may well
trcmble at the consequences! The di-
vine right of kings is a doctrine whose
days are numbered. Europe must be
reconstructed
In America. a new probleIa Of i'm
migration will result. People will be
deceived no longer With the lie that
ornaments are the best assurance OF
PEACE, and will flock to a truly peace
full, domestic country.
Another lie will be exploded, namely,
that war is a nation builder. If the
! trash were destroyed, and the best left
as some over, II might De so but the
flower Is killed, while noxious weeds
remain The riff-raff do@@ not get to
the front until after the war is over.
There will be a boom in America,
so think intelligent men in England
| and at home. The war must of neces-
sltY destroy many private fortunes
first and many OF us will have to see
go UP in ashes what we have toiled
for. Mony corporations will also have
To ~
| come a leveHng process.
1t will be a testing time of how d
GGan or company has built a fortune.
whether upon a rock or sand founda-
uOG. The way he meets his test will
grove likewise whether he has built
his character on a rock or upon sand.
After the lcveling, will come grand
opportunities for the laboring man. the
farmer, the producer. The world must
be fed, and clothed, and housed
The ruin to business will be tran
rsient and. in the main, disturb only
superficial national interests in Ameri-
ca
Let us all remember this, OF people.
TIE great Peace Maker, even Jesus
Christ, is the only hope for the total
abolition of war. Love is the essence
Of His gospel, and men who love each
other do net kill and pInnder' We
must not only preach this gospel of
brotherhood, but must practice It,
and let us pray that out OF the ter
rible conflict and suspension may be-
sin the thousand years of peace, and if
we ourselves cannot live long eno1gh
to enjoy it. we can at least leave it as
a precious legacy to our children and
| children's children Amen.