The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-14
Took Only Means to Achieve Real
Peace When He Sent Strong
Note to GERMANY
NOTHING ELSE WAS POSSIBLE
DIR. Asbury Christian breaches ON
Necessity to Uphold the Law OF
Humanity Which Is the Law Of
God.

UNFOLDING the course of President
Wilson in demanding the observance
of the law of humanity and, by In
ference that was plain, strongly con-
demning that of Bryan, DR.. w. Asbury
Christian in Union Station Methodist
Church last night preached of peace
as possible only through obedience to
law
Our President" said DR.. Chris
tan, was seeking real peace for this
great nation when he demanded
obedience to the great law of human
ity--the law of God.
Far be IL from any true Ameri-
can citizen to desire war with any
nation. AS far be 1t from any right
minded American citizen to sit quietly
and see the great law of nations. the
law of humanity trodden under foot.
and as a result. inoffensive American
citizens. defenseless women and help
less children, sent to an unttmely
death by nation in reckless disre-
gard of law.
I'VE want to be at peace with all
nations. but we want that peace to
come as the result Of a high regard
and full obedience to the great law
of humanity, which is the law Of God.
TO render less would be to encour-
a
us, and to demand any less of other
nations would be weak and pueriie
and th-7art the great plan of an abid-
America stands behind President
ing pece.
Wilson in demanding that peace that
comes as the result of obediencs 10
law"
Strikes Optimistic Note.
DR.. Christians subject was Woe TO
Them Who Say Peace. Peace, When
There is no Peace" He said there is
no true heart who dif not at this time
of strife. long for peace.
Some despair and lose hope think
ing that the mission of Christ to bring
peace upon earth had failed" said
DR.. Christian. ut Is not so. He Ia the
Prince of Peace and of the increase
of his government and his peace there
shall be no end. Many are mistaken
when they imagine that God gives
His peace Internationally; II Is con-
ditioned upon proper observance of
His commands.
There is q mistaken idea OF peace,
II is not ignorance. nor unconcern, nor
insensibility to wrong: neither is IL
quiet submission to wickednees, nor
careless, nor criminal disregard for
law.
HE is not the friend of peace who
would sit quietly and see wickedness
enthrowned, or wrong triumphant. A
false peace is q fruitful source OF per-
petual strife. Real peace is ultimate
and enduring. What lie peace? Peace
Is the quiet and tranquility which re-
suits from obedience to law. Perfect
peace then would be perfect obedience
to perfect law.
The Way to Peace.
God gives his peace 10 the individual
soul In accordance with his obedience
to his law This Is true concerning the
laws of nature. the laws, of health. the
laws of the land and the divine laws
There is no peace saith the Lord, unto
the wicked" The truth applies to a
community. It Is not by dfsregarding,
dishonoring or defying law that a oom-
munity has peace. He does not aid In
community in reaching peace by I'M
concern, or carelessness In advocating
the enforcement of law. The real
friend of the community Is he who de-
mands the proper observance and en-
forcement Of law THE work OF
righteousness shall be peace and the
effect of righteousness duietness and
assurance forever.
'The same principle that applies to
the individual of the community ap-
plies with equal force to the State
ana to the nation. and internationally"
\