The Cape weekly tribune. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1914, 1914-10-11
BY REV. A. WILDER,
Pastor Trinity Lutheran Church.

neIQ special services last sunday II
which the war now raging in Europ'
was the subject of the hymns, pray
ers and sermon. A short synopsis o.
the sermon is here given. The tex
was taken from Matthew Gath, 6ti
AID 7th verses. "And We shall hear Of
wars, and rumors of war: see thai
We be not troubled: for all these thing:
must come to pass, but the end is moi
yet. For nation shall rise against ma
ton, and kingdom against kingdom
The words are a prophesy of the
greatest prophet concerning the CON
dition of the last times. Never did the
world behold the fulfillmeng of this
prophesy, as we do in these days. A
most horrible war is raging in Europe
nations and kingdoms are in arms
against each other. Although ou1
country, by the grace of God, IS moi
among the afflicted nations, still this
war concerning US to a great degree
Especially We, who are descendants
of such, who have come over from the
German fatherland, cannot but feel
deeply for Germany, which is eur
rounded by host Of eIeT,ies, whose
outspoken intention it is to destroy, OF
at least cripple it to such an extent
that there will be no resemblance of
former greatness. In other ways also.
very intimate relations exist between
our country and all the nations that
are engaged in this war.
The whole country is suffering coln-
mercially; the regular intercourse be-
tween America and the belligerert ma
tons is such, that the interruption Of
this intercourse in consequence of the
war, cannot but work great hard
ship to all parties concerned.
Many of our people have relatives
and friends over there; thousands of
our fellow Christians are among the
sufferers. We cannot be surprised
then that the interest in this war is
nation wide. Many comments and
judgments concerning this war are ut
terly wrong. We must take heed lest
we be carried away by our passions.
The word of God alone can direct our
thoughts in the right paths.
"Some questions in regard to the
present European war" shall be the
subject of our meditations this morn
ing. The first question that occurs to
US, is: Is war ever justified? At first
glance it seems as though the an
swer to this question must be in the
negative. It seems to us as though
it can only be wrong for people to kill
each other, to destroy the homes and
property of our fellowmen; it seems
as though there can be no thought of
Christian love in war. Indeed if all
rulers and people were Christians,
God-fearing people, there would not
be any wars. Still it would not be
right to say that government that
declares war, or takes up arms in a
war that is forced upon it, and that all
who carry on war, do wickedness. Ac-
cording to Gods will it may, under
certain circumstances be the duty and
business of the government to carry
on war. 1t is clearly the duty of the
government to maintain discipline and
order, to protect the life and property
of its citizens. God placed the sword
into the hands of the government for
this purpose. 1t makes no difference
whether the enemies who destroy the
peace and life and property are within
or outside the bounds of the country.
Thus war may be the duty of the gov
eminent, hence justifiable.
1t is true, if a government is moved
to declare war on another country
for the sake of acquiring more land,
or to take revenge, or if the motive
is to destroy the prosperity on trade
of the other nation, then it would be
wicked to declare such war: such a
war would be unjustiiable, ard those
who cause such war must be classed
as robbers and murderers. Thus most
wars are surely unjustifabls. But if
a govC rnment, having used all means
70 prevent it, sees no otker way to full
fl its duty, it MAJ, in the name of
God end calling apen him, take up
arms N its defense.
This is in accord with Scripture.
GId himself led his children Of Israel
to war against their enemies; God
himself raised up heroes VINO led their
people in battle. Such a hero was
Gideon whose war cry was: "The
sword of the Lord and of Gideon"
Such a hero was David who approach
ed Goliath with the words: 81 come
to thee in the name of the Lord of
hosts, the God of the armies of Isra-
ell" In proverbs Goth, 18th verse We
read: with good advise make war;
Tho A,1pCburr confession ano of o,,r