The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-07-22
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 what
ever OF hope we may entertain for q
permanent and satisfactory peace
when the present war is over. Be-
fore the terms of peace can be
widely discussed the true nature
OF war and the reason for war
must be acknowledged. II you read
Bernhard or Prof. Crambe you may
conclude with them that war is
really a blessing to a people, devel-
oping their courage, self-sacrifice,
etc. I am willing indeed to agree
with them that war is blessing
but for a very different reason from
the one they recognize.
A loving father has a wilful, dis
obedient son. After all other meas
ures of correction fail, the father,
as a last resort, applies the rod. A
good sound thrashing will do more
for that boy than hours of counsel
and tender advice. The result proves
the wisdom of the father and the
lad grows into a worthy man. War
is nothing more than the punish
ment of God upon wilful, disobe-
dent people who will never obey
until they are compelled through
suffering to turn from their selfish
ness and follies to the souls last re-
sort, 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
analysis will show that the same
statement is true OF other wars.
The problem 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. 81 am come
that they may have life and that
they may have il more ahundantly."
And what does He tell us about liv-
ing? That the underlying princi-
pie governing all our relations with
each other is embodied in that one
immortal saying: Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as myself" Many ex-
periments have been made 10 test
the wisdom OF this command. Have
they been successful and does the
rule really apply to everyday af-
fairs? How about humanitarianism
so much talked OF at present and
which is one Of the strong, leading
tendencies Of the present generation'
Certainly humanitarianism is the
direct application Of the rule? Does
humanitarianism work, is il sensi-
BILE or visionary, is it a sound policy
does il tend TO peace, or is its in.
fluence for discord, does II makes
the world any better? To ask the
question is TO answer il. Every
other test OF the command has re.
suited in like manner. In short, God
knows what is best for man, and
Christ made no mistakes when He
stated Gods laws for man.
Objection will be made that wal
is often the result Of ambition. re-
venge, greed, etc, etc. These in,
deed are secondary causes, but what
more do they all amount 10 than
failure to consider the rights oil
other nations as equal 10 our own
rightsH Again, objection will be
made that II war is a punishment
from God then the punishment is q
failure, for war has existed from
the earliest times and therefore
Gods Establishments are unaivailino
and mankind will continue TO the
end OF time much a. Il is now