Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-04-27

thoughts. No mat
ter what our politics, we will not at
firm that our chief magistrate Is a
mere alarmist; and therefore when
he makes such speeches and utters'
such warnings as occupied him for a
time last winter, 1t Is difficult to be-
lieve that our peace is not seriously
imperiled. ,
What 10 Our Christian Duty? Z
What is the duty of the American
Christian in such times? OF course.
We have in mind the Christian citizen
who has a duty and responsibility to
the state and to God not shared by
others, however sympathetic they
may be.
l. His first duty 10 to become intel
Ilsent az to. what the situation Is.
How vast is the scope of his investi-
cation? Should we interfere in Mex
leo? Do our relations with any Of.
the other foreign countries demand
that we should prepare for war? And
are we prepared for war. as some
say? And is 1t true that to be any
more prepared is to provoke war?
These are not speculative questions,
but stern realities. They are not
worldly, there Is a in which,
they come very close to the center
of our religious life. Good men are
considering them. there is earnest DIFF
ference of opinion about them, and
sooner or later we must cast our in.
fuence one side or the other. This
must be done in the light Of Gods
Word as we understand It; and It
must be done, not merely with the
thought Of results in the present time.
but in that day when We must give
account to God for the deeds done in;
the body.
2. His next duty 10 to exercise ahel
rights and privileges, nay, the sacred
obligations, Of a citizen. Humanity
speaking. ours is a government of the.
people. by the people and for the peo-
pie" and we cannot waive the res
sponsibilities 1t entails without invit-
ing disaster. We have a responsible
ty to express our opinions II we pos
ess any. The press is open to many,
the use Of the pen in private CORE
spondence, and. thank God. speech is'
still free. Not in anger should we
discuss these questions. not in the
spirit Of craftsmanship, not to foment
strife or to make a breach between
men,. but as Christians who wish their
country to be right and to please God-
we should bear our testimony when
occasion serves.
And then there is the sacred right.
of franchise at the primary as we'll
as the general election.
The Lack Of Prayer.
8. This brings US to his chief duty,
that Of prayer. Real. intelligent;
spirit-energized prayer for our land
and its rules is not common ever In
our pulpits. outside Of the l~iturgical
churches. at least. and Is still less.
common at the weekly prayer meet
ing. And inasmuch as the family al
tar has so fallen into neglect one
wonders how much prayer is offered
anywhere, and by anyone? And yet
are the home. the church and the
school Of all places in the world, those
where the highest and best of our ma
ton are to be kept in view?
One could not but be struck by a
remark OF Admiral Beatty of the
British navy, who, in addressing a
communication to a London society
some months ago, said. that in his
opinion. the present war would not be
brought to an end. and his country
come of victorious. until the latter
was stirred by a general revival. He
is not the only leader in that nation
who believes her present Affections
are in some sense a judgment upon
her for her sins. And how truly may
the same be said for any or all Of the
other nations now engaged in war?
General Grant in his Memoirs" de-
clares that u Civil war was a judg-
ment upon US for our previous conduct
toward Mexico. God Furnishes nations.
as he does individuals. only they must
get all that is coming to them now,
while individuals may have the worst
Of theirs in the time to come.
And yet the punishment of nations
is that Of the individuals who COM
pose them. hence It Is the most prac..
tical and moving aso why Christians
Of the United States should beseech
the Lord not only to keep us out of
war. but out Of that sin which must
bring
Tho Comfort In the Text.
But there Is comfort in the text
"See that ye be not troubled" This
belongs to the sincere disciple of
Jesus Christ. There is such q thing
for him as being in the trouble and
yet not Of It. He cannot but expert,
ence sorrow. and loss and pain. but
there are compensations for him that
the world knows nothing Of.
And then that END" Of which the
SAVIOR speaks! Before 1t comes, he
himself will come for his redeemed
people. who will be caught up to meet
him in the air. Oh, It is a blessed,
thing to be a Christian. and never is
the comfort greater than In such times
as these. =