The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-10-27

Christian nit is in no way responsible
for the war. Some Christian men are
going SO far as 10 say, Can there be
a God, when such things are permit
ted to occur The issue Is further
confused by the fact that the nations
at war are called Christian nations
and each is praying 10 God Tor VIC
tory. Hundreds Of evangelical pas
tors of France and Germany are at
the front. fighting against each other.
1t is a complicated situation that re-
ouires a good Zeal of study TO compre-
bend.
The underlying causes of the war
are pride, ambition, greed, selfshness.
commercialism, materialIsm. THESE
are a part of the b~arbarism hat
Christianity has not yet been able TO
uproOt and overcome.
The only insurance of permanent
peace is in the growth of the spirit
of love and brotherhood. Christ him.
| self is the Prince of Peace When
He is enthrOned there is peace IN the
human heart and there will be peace
in the world. War will be stopped
craftsmanship can do something
through arbitration agreements and
peace societies to avert horrors
Of war, but only the worldwide spread
OF the Christian Gospel can really
abolish war forever. 1t is the first
business Of the church to extend the
Gospel throughout all lands, and at
the same time to york and to pray
to make it dominant in our own civil
zation.
There is a vast spiritual ministry
to be provided for the armies and the
nations now in conflict. This is first
of all a ministry of prayer, which is
the most powerful form Of work. In
addition to this, workers and funds
in abundance will be needed to use
the opportunities Of personal spiritual
service that will be open. When sol
diers and nations are facing danger.
they are peculiarly open to serious
Impressions Some Of the wars Of the
past generation have been used to
preach the gospel with compelling
power, and many thousands OF sol
diers and others have been led to a
vital faith in Christ. Such opportu-
mites should be prayerfully sought
and utilized to the utmost. The type
Of Christianity in Europe may be rad
ically changed if the church is alert
and responsive. The church in Amer
lea is related so closely to many Of
these nations that we have the great
est opportunity of all for helpfulnes:
to all.
great evangelistic effort Throughout
the non-Christian world. Whole ma
tons are in danger of misinterpretins
Christianity, and thus greatly retard
ing the success of missionary effort
But the war may be turned to accoun
for the kingdom if the church will
now send out her pronouncement
and her representatives to explain t
: the leaders Of thought in all these ma
5 tons what the real secrets Of this wa
fare, how the Christian principles will
: ultimately make war impossible. /
l is also of the greatest Importance tina
in the financial endorsements Incl
dent to this war the church see to j
: that her missionary offerings are no
only maintained. but increased. Thi
! will mean hat there must come ne1
l conservation Of money to missions O
h part of vast numbers, for alread
some large supporters Of the wor,
: have had their resources cut off.
. great peril and oppor
tunity lie within our own land. Their
t is a terrible peril of greater greed 70
gain, a cOarSer commercialiSm and
more crushing materialism takin
e possession Of our own nation. Tn
: press is already full Of suggestions &
e possible trade advantages to U
e through the war.
n This danger can be averted if tn
y church seizes the opportunity
d capture our own civilization fC
Christ, that He may be made King i
h all the earth. The evangelists on til
1t streets Of New York report an ur
d usual spirit of earnestness in the
1t audiences. Shall not this greatest wa
h of the world be made the occasio
IS OF h greatest revival of vital religio
d which has ever been known, a reviv:
n which is not limited by nation;
IF boundaries?"
An Echo From the War.
A missionary Of the Church Nj.
st siOnary society at Lagos, SOuther