The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1914-10-08
PREACHED GREAT
PEACE SERMON
REy.P. w. ERICKSON GAVE ES-
PECIALLY STRONG SERMON
AT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
SUNDAY NIGHT-THE PEOPLE
WILL RULE, HE SAYS.

In conformity with the proclamation
of Pres. Wilson, Peace Services were
held at the Presbyterian church Sun
day evening and Rev. Erickson spoke
as follows:
Wars Death Struggle.
During these past days much OF the
world has been upon its knees; earnest
PRAYER with the cry Of anguish has
arisen from millions Of lips. Heaven
looks down upon a strange sight
half the civilized world at war and
nearly all the civilized world at pray
er. Tho thousands of miles separate
us from the scenes of war we seem TO
stand amid its very sorrows Tor our
nation is bound by lasting ties to each
contending force and we stand dumb,
hopeless and helpless. It is natural
that we should seek for refuge IN
prayer, it is well also that we should
pray. but afterward let US arise from
our knees resolved to do what we
ought to do, under the guidance OF
God.
There was no century Of all the past
born under such auspicious tokens as
this century. The achievements OF
Science unsurpassed; the power Of
Industry was worldwide; Literature,
Art and all other graces ministered
to a Life and Civilization which SEEM
ed in it's golden age. But the Century
had but started on its course when
the present conflict was ushered IN, q
conflict of such intensity as to destroy
the present and of such magnitude as
to fetter the ages yet unborn. But It's
only the harvest time, this war IS put
the ripe grown fruit OF 9 civillzatiGn civ
gone wrong. 'Tis the inevitable
result of emphasizing wrong ideals IN
national life. Every civilization IN
eyery age past has had its day OF
Judgment. The very children nurtured
under it's care rise at last contendlng
for mastery. Ancient Israel nurtured
- spirit Of selfishness and Babylon
tool her life. Ancient Rome nurtur-
ed q spirit Of lust and vice and the
decay Of her life was such that the
anes can never restore. The contend-
inc powers today have nurtured 9
spsrit Of envy, jealousy and hatred and
dIstrust. Of which the increased arma-
ment is the outward symbol, and their
civilization is at stake. Their schools
have been excellent yet deficient for
their splendid power has been to
strengthen rather than destroy the
spirit Of Militarism. Their churches
have boasted of some of the worlds
greatest theologians, yet they have
been negligent in that they have not
onenlv opposed this spirit which is
contrary to the spirit Of the Prince OF
Peace. The press has been silent and
afraid for it has not been popular 70
speak against the plans Of Emperors
and Kings.
The record Of past wars covers
largely the pages of history. Inc oio-
est song which the past brings us IS
the Sword Song Of Lamech. Each era
is marked by some great conquest.
Coming away from the dim ages we
have the Babylonian Supremacy, the
Medo-Persian conquests, the Macedon-
ian victories. Such men as Cyrus, Al
exander and Caesar led their armies
TO victory. Their very greatness lay
a their power thru warfare; they rul.
ed by might. With the coming OF
Jesus Christ and the founding OF the
kinpdom of Love and Peace, many
dreamed that the spirit Of war would
vanish from the earth. But we pass
into the following centuries and find
their records red with blood. Perse-
cutions added their testimony to the
spirit that is in man. Constantine,
with his sacred banner "In this sign,
5conouer," the Huns and Vandals, the
Saracens. the Crusaders, these were
Int the forerunners Of still larger bat.
Ties which marked the conquests Of
the past two centuries and these IN
tnrn prepared the way for the great
cat war Of the ages, now in the max
me Rut the hope Of Universal Peace
stiii rests ia him who is called the
Prince Of Peace. In the early dispen-
sation the Jew was lost in the state.
His individuality was swallowed Up II
the welfare Of the nation. But Cnrist
nlaced the emphasis upon the indlvld.
ual. He performed in society that
which in another realm is known as
chemical reaction, breaking up the
lump of Society into its component T
parts. Taking then these units OF
character, moulding them according
10 Christian ideals, he expected them
"a unite again into one great whole,
Tar different from that from which
thew came. Only partial success has
sheen recorded for the second union
into q whole has been accomplish be-
fore the influence Of His teachings had
vyorked right Transformation Of
I character. Our civilization, SO un-
stable and 50 often flying off at tan.
gent. attests that. But the greatest
reformation Of the ages is in progress,
Il is the silent work Of the ideals Of
Christ still pressing on for complete
transformation in national life. The
release from war is near for the mon
ster has overstepped his bounds and
even his victories now are but press,
me home the nails which are to hold
lin in his coffin. War has been un-
nsasked. Reason rebels against his
T1le. The church protests. We are
Passing at last from the age when
Iirht makes right and coming into q
Aeher life and civilization whose