The log cabin Democrat., 1916-04-19

iFfNDSA en%$i conditions ln our %ssg % PsSS < 33l land h a n s t ls% SS deeply occupy our
 thoughts No mat ter what our politics, we will not af- 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, it is difficult to be- lieve that our peace is not seriously inperiled
 What Is Our Christian Duty?
 What is the duty of the American Christian in such times? Of course, we have in mind the Christian citizen who has duty and responsibility to the state and to God not shared by others, however sympathetic they may be.
 | l. His first duty is to become intel iloent as to what the situation is. How vast is the scope of his investi- gation? Should we interfere in Mex | ico? 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 it true that to be any more prepared is to provoke war? These are rot speculative questions. but stern realities. They are not worldly. there is sense in which i they come very close to the center of our religious life. Good men are considering them, there is earnest diff i ference of opinion about them and sooner or later we must cast our in- 1 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 1 thought of results in the present time, ! out in that day when we must give account to God for the deeds done in i the body.
 ! 2. His next duty Is to exercise the rights and privileges, nay, the sacred i obligations, of a citizen. Humanly speaking. ours is government of the ] people, by the people and for the peo- ple,' and we cannot waive the re- responsibilities it entails without invit- ing disaster. We have a responsihli- | ty to express our opinions if we pos sess any. The press is open to many, the use of the pen in private corre- spondence, and, thank God, speech is still free, Not in anger should we discuss these questions, not in the spirit of partisanship, not to foment ! strife or to make 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 well as the general election.
 1 The Lack of Prayer.
 3. This brings us to hIs chief duty, that of prayer. Real, intelligent. spirit-energized prayer for our land and it's rules Is not common even in our pulpits, outside of the liturgical 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 na- tion 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 or victorious, until the latter was stirred by general revival. He Is not the only leader in that nation who believes her present afflictions are in some sense a judgment upon her for her sins. And how truly may tha same be said for any or all of the other nations now engaged in war?
 The Comfort in the Text.
 But there is comfort in the text See tbat ye be not troubled" This belongs to the sincere disciple of jesus CArlst. There is such a thing TOT him as being in the trouble and yet not of it. He cannot but experi. ehce sorrow, and loss and pain, but there are compensations for him that the world knows nothing of
 And then that "end" of which the oaV'or speaks! Before 1t comes. he himself will come for his redeemed people who will be caught up to meet n!m 1n the air. Oh, 1t is a blessed thlng to be a Christian. and never is the comfort greater than in such time.