Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-07-23
THE real GOSPEL OF war
II Is the Same Old Story from the
Beginning.
SOME OF The signs OF The Times
An Interesting Study in Which the
Writer Concludes that War is Gods
Way of Furnishing the Pride and Dis
obedience of Mankind.

way Ot S''~ .'~
obedience of Mankind.
Russia has declared for temperance;
France is beginning to pray; England
is following the lead Of Russia against
drinking. Who can read the signs OF
the times and give the full meaning
of these important facts? Does 1t
mean that only for reasons Of expedi-
ency and because Of the war pressure
these nations are reversing their usual
customs? Perhaps their governments
and their people may see nothing fur
ther in these great changes than is
quite natural in view Of the tremendous
expenses and losses Of the war. But
perhaps there may be deeper mean
ing; also it may be that history is re-
peating itself, a habit that history ac-
quired long ago.
Several thousand years ago certain
tribe Of people settled in a pleasant
and fertile country. The surrounding
tribes were not very pleasant neigh
bors, and not very we'll disposed to-
ward the newcomers. This was quite
to be expected since the newcomers
had driven them out, slain many OF
them and were now occupying cities
and farms to which they had no ap-
parent title other than the old one OF
might. The surrounding tribes had
strange customs, many Of them quite
pleasant in q way, but not very edify-
ing. In fact, their customs were de-
cidedly bad, as bad as whisky and
beer have been found to be when used
too freely. Now, the king of the VIC
torious tribe knew very we'll that his
people could not thrive il they i'm
ported these quite delightful but very
injurious customs, so he made a strict
decree that his people must have Moth
ing to do with such practices.
The word Of the king was law, and
for a time was Obeyed, and all went
we'll. But soon the influence OF their
neighbors began 10 be seen, and gradu-
ally the prohibited customs began to be
practiced until they became quite COM
mon. The king was very angry and
concluded that the people should be
treated as we sometimes find 1t best
to treat a very bad and self-willed
boy. They received a good, sound
thrashing, so severe that in many
many cases death resulted. The
punishment was inflicted by the very
tribes who had been ousted from their
possessions. The king accomplished
this by extending to them for time
his generalship, which was always in
yincible. The severe lesson had salu-
tary effect for quite a while. The
people became we'll behaved and were
very prosperous.
The little story is familiar to most
Of us, and is the more interesting be-
cause :. s true. Has it any relation
to the action of Russia, France and
England in their recent decisions about
intemperance and desirability OF
prayer? Perhaps so. The ruler OF
Russia, France and England is one and
the same Long ago he showed them
and all people that intemperance as
we'll as other filthy habits would lead to
their decadence and final ruin. But
some people are hard headed, and 1t
may take even war, with its horrors to
make them sensible and we'll behaved.
If it takes even war to bring them
to their senses the war will come; for
the king will save his people If pos
sible. Even the slaughter Of millions
may be necessary, but the lesson must
be learned.
Perhaps America may be wise
enough to learn common sense from
the experience Of Europe and clean
house in a reasonable way rather than
persist in her various follies, so well
known to us all, until the cleansing
fire visits her also.
The Basis for Permanent Peace.
The nations of the world are slowly
learning that the teachings of the
Galilean are sound. In the truth OF
this statement rests whatever of hope
we may entertain for permanent and
satisfactory peace when the present
war is over. Before the terms Of peace
can be wisely discussed the true ma
ture Of war and the reason for war
must be acknowledged. If you read
Bernhard or Prof. Crambe you may
conclude with them that war is really
a blessing to q people, developing their
courage, self-sacrifice, etc. l am will
ling, indeed, to agree with them that
war is a blessing but for a very diff
ferent reason from the one they recog-
nize.
A loving father has wilful, disobedi-
ent son. After all other measures Of
correction fail, the father, as last re-
sort, applies the rod. A good sound
thrashing will do more for that boy
than hours Of counsel and tender love-
The result proves the wisdom Of the
father and the lad grows into worthy
man. War is nothing more than
the punishment of God upon wilful, dis
obedient people who never obey until
they are compelled through suffering
to turn from their selfishness and fol-
lies to the souls last resort, God. The
punishment may entail rivers Of blood
and oceans of tears, but the means are
justified by the end, at least in this
case. Furthermore, no other means
have ever been found adequate.
Illustrations without number can
be given of the truth of this state
ment The one best known is found in
the history of Israel. But close analys-
is will show that the same treatment is
true Of other wars.
The problems before the nations is to
learn what God intends by this most
terrible war in the worlds history. And
now we have arrived at the point where
we began, viz, that the teachings Of
the Galilean are sound. God sent his
Son to teach men how to live. Il am
come that they may have life and that
they may have it more abundantly."
And what does he tell us about living?
That the underlying principle govern
ing all our relations with each other is