South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-03
MAN HIMSELF IS
+; WAR PREVENTIVE
battles Will be Waged and
Many Slain Unless Teachings
of Jesus Christ Are Carried
Out, Says Rev. H. L. Davis.

christianity and War was the
subject taken by Rev. H. L. Davis Of
the First Methodist church in his
morning sermon yesterday. The
speaker took his texts from Isa. II.
4-"Nations shall learn war no more"
and from Eph H.. 14-15-"Christ
hath broken down the partition, so
bringing peace"
Christians are anxious for the pre-
vention OF war and the establishment
OF world peace. but they take two ex-
IRENE views OF the means OF effecting
this establishment. said Mr.. Davis.
Some declare that war is a good
thing. and base this statement on the
teaching Of Christ. that many bless
ings follow IN the wake of war such
IS heroism and bravery. Rev. Mr..
DaviA cOmbatted this theory and said
that it was impossible TO prove the
justice OF war by this teaching Of
Christ No argument can be advanc-
ed tGat good things, such as plenty
TO eat and drink. do not follow in the
wake of famine, fire and flood and yet
no one Is rash enough 20 declare and
attempt to prove that famine, fire and
flood are good things for humanity.
Many advocate the total disarma-
ment Of nations. and the disbanding
and attempt TO prove their argument
by referring 10 the life and teaching
of Christ In Christs time the whole
foundation of the Roman government
was built upon force and the Roman
army, and yet Christ did not seek to
overthrow either. said the speaker.
The ideal of Biblical peace is not
80 be obtained by the disbanding Of
the armed forces Of the world, de-
clared Rev. Mr. Davis. One may argue
10 do away with the police force of
South Bend. which is badly needed,
as 20 propose to do away with the
police OF state or nation.
The condition of society is not right
for the total disarmament of nations
or the disarmament of the police
force for we must have men TO pro-
tect our homes and lives as long as
men will steal or kill
Peace Will not come by the doc
trines OF I'm times Of peace prepare
for war" or The more guns men
carry, the better will social peace be
promoted" The increase of the army
and navy is utterly fruitless in the
prevention of war, as shown by the
present crisis
In 1880 the six great powers of Eu-
rope spent $500. 100000 for naval and
military purposes: in 1910 they spent
$1,000, 100000 in a further effort to
preserve peace, ana now IN 1914 Lney
are going TO spend $500. 200. 600 in
fighting one another, and in the face
Of this great conflict of all ages, peO-
pie argue that war is good. that it can
be stopped by arming or disarming
the nation.
The teaching of Jesus Christ, which
makes men the world over brothers.
Is the only solution Of the problem to
make world peace. In Christ's teach
he Il feff hot n
jew and Gentle. Greek or barbarian.
This war. declared Rev. Mr.. Davis.
Is but the jealousy of two thrones.
and the whole issue should be decided
by them. IL the House of Hapsburg
and the House Of Romanoff cannot
agree and are unwilling to have peace
and unity. then let the ruling classes
Go the fighting and not the peasants,
who have no heart for il. was the
closing thought of the speaker.