South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-26
By Rev. R. J. Campbell
&c MOst P0PuIar Prsaeher 10 Englana.

= OF long after the war commenced
N made a suggestion from the London
City Temple pulpit which widel.
quoted in the pres. Of all countries. The par
agraph as a whole was somewha- as follows
Would it not be possible for the Chris
tan forces of the world to ,mbine after
the conclusion Of peace for the one pur-
pose Of preventing a recurrence Of this
horrible strife? If we could not unite upon
anything else. surely we might unite upon
this one practical object.
I would suggest that the Pope as the
head of the largest Christian communion
should be induced 20 take the initiative
In the matter and call Protestants to his
cOuDsels in connection Herewith. Such
action should be taken in concert with all
the Christian churches of the world, how.
ever designated. Professionalism generally
would support it, would be morally bound
10 do Sc.
No one but the Pope could do it effec-
lively. for the reason just given, that he is
the head OF the largest and most interna-
tiOnal organization of those who profess
and call themselves Christians. The Met
ropolitan Of the great Eastern Church
Jr. rather OF that great branch out OF the
four or five belonging 10 it in which the
people OF Russia are included-could no.
do It. The Archbishop of Canterbury, for
obvious reasons. could not do it, He is
the spiritual head of Anglicanisu. only. and
Rome would not respond to an invitation
issued from that quarter.
What Is wanted is something analogous
TO a general council of the whole undi-
vided Church OF Christ-not general
council in the ordinary sense, of course.
because not directly concerned with ques-
tons OF faith and morals-but it would be
wonderfully impressive gathering all the
same and no doubt lead to even greater
things-the ultimate reunion Of Christen-
dom. for instance.
The Pope is the proper person TO sum.
mon such an assembly And there is a
precedent for # I'm the Council Of Trent. to
which Protestant delegates were invited.
but refused TO come Had their response
been favorable instead of unfavorabIe. who
knows what strife and anguish Europe
might have been saved in the last three
hundred years.
These were not the actual words used.
Nannot recall them now: hut they represen
tne gis, OF them. One reason why refer u
them again is that they are stnl being quoted
They are coming back TO me. or comment
upon them are. from the ends of the earth
both by letter and the printed page And the
have been generally misunderstood nc, onl
b. those who disapprove of EN-. but by thos
who hail them with satisfaction.
Is # impossible 70 hope for a hlrh-sou1e
Of the energies Of Chris+endor
upon the design OF putting an end 10 warfar
between civilized states? When the pressD
devastating struggle is over shall we not al
be in the mood TO listen 10 some such pro
posal?
Mt. Asquith almost said so IN HIS Guildha
speech in the Autumn Of 1914. He held OF
the prospect Of a pact of the nations to forb
the drawing OF the sword again between al
OF their number coming within the pale Of
ternational law. II serious and responsib
craftsmanship could say as much as this
the outset Of the most appalling war that hi
ever been waged. what about the Christi.
ideal OF universal peace Is it only a drea
after all. a far distant gliufmer Of hope for u
race?
1 have given to the Premier's words what
take TO be legitimate extension OF their II