The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-09-03
CHRISTIANITY AND THE WAR.

We call ours Christian age" ~
the spirit OF Christ were in the hearts
OF kings and statesmen, that shameless
desire for conquest which does not
hesitate to plunge whole continent
in war could not exist. IL isan almost
incredible thing that in these days oi
peace treaties, arbitration boards and
Hague tribunals, war should be even
named among governments protesting
Christian civilization
We must leave it to others to discuss
the diplomatic aspect of this European
quarrel, which has set the great ma
tions aRame with the mad desire to
slay Beyond and above all other con
siderations, there stands the solemn
fact that these nations all claim to be
Christian their statesmen are regard.
ed as Christians their standing before
the world is that Of civilized Christian
governments and communities. YET
we find them engaged in titanic
foresee. Should it 90 on, it will mean
the sacrifice of innumerable human
lives and incalcuable economic waste
that will make existence hard and
sorrowful problem for multtudes foi
years to come. True, the map q
Europe may be changed, and the long
cherished ambitions of certain 'greai
powers" may oe realized but the glory
of such a triumph will be won at b
cost of great tragedy of human suff-
ering, the memory of which will con
tinually rise in accusation against
them
One of the popular delusions which
has been dispelled by recent events il
that which declared vast armies and
giant navies the best guarantors of in
ternational peace. Militarism is not
protective but provocative.
"All Ghe loudly proclaimed pre-
tensions OF professional militarists," /"
says the New York World, that huge
armaments and incessant preparation
for war are the best assurances thai
can be had of the preserve tion of peace
are disproyed. There never was a time
when Europe was more fully armed
and there never was more needless
and wicked war than that in to which
Europe has suddenly plunged F."
While our own position as nation is
that of a neutral, as Christian coun-
try and government protesting ciyil.
ization, we should at least protest, il
not officially, then through the Chris.
tian Churches Of America, against thi,
needless slaughter. 1t has been laid
down as a general principle that ne
dispute can arise between government.
which is incapable of being adjusted
by arbitration International law ano
established tribunals provide for such
emergencies. 1t is IA tremendous in.
dictment against Christianity that .
whole continent should be embroileo
as Europe finds itself today, without q
serious effort at pacific adjustment
The czar of Russia is accredited as the
father OF The Hague peace tribunal
Emporer William, during his entire
reign, has been a consistent adyocat,
of peace and has done more than any
other ruler now living to maintain
through line diplomacy, the tranquil,
ty of Europe. Yet in the struggle be.
tween Slav and Teuton, Christianity
has not availed, though, had its prin
ciples been applied practically, tn,
whole situation would now have beel
very different.
Let us hope and pray that the strug
.gle may be shortened and that he VIII,
sits in heaven will overrule events anC
bring peace and order, even at this lat,
hour, out of the European turmoil
Christian Herald.
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