Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-09

1
Convention viii last three days.
Bishop Rhlnelander. in his address to-.
day at the opening of the 132d convention
of the Pennsylvania Diocese of the Epis-
copal Church. almost spoke for intervcn-
tion on the side of the Allies in the great
war.
Nearly all of his address was devoted to
that subject
| He assaied the csllousness and the love
| of money which, he said, had character
| lied this country since August 1, 1914,
| The Allies, he said, were really fighting
the battles of this country.
The listening churchhen sat up with a
| start when the Bishop told them that
war has its spiritual uses. and, too, when
| he warned against a devils peace, "a
peace purchased of and presided over by
the devil" There is such peace, he
said, Just as there is holy war. war
I'm Heaven, a war on earth for Heavens
sake, in Heavens name
The Bishop asked for an equal though
a voluntary and bloodless, sacrifice that
will parallel the efforts England. France
and Russia are making for us"
OF the Stonemen's Fellowship, the
Bishop declared the organization was
Sprung from hidden things and secret
sources. and is leading TO goal hardly
discernible and certainly not yet to be de-
fined" He praised it's normal methods
and ideals and urged its support.
EUROPE STRETCHED ON CROSS"
In his paragraphs on the war, the Bishop
said in part:
"Tt is, indeed, suffering Europe
stretched upon cross II is well for us,
unless we are to lose our souls that we
should enter into the fellowship of that
suffering I quote these words from a
notable address which | was privileged
to hear not long ago.
Much of that suffering. brethren. is for
us, in our behalf, splendidly knowingly,
vicarious. Can we doubt II or deny it.?
This is a war not so much between men
or between nations as between ideals and
principles. The issue is very clearly drawn
AS time goes on it becomes increasingly
apparent. 1t was a poor tribute to the
Teutonc nations not to recognize that
their efficiency and resolution on the bat
tlefield is the expression of political, |
moral and religious creed. They are fight |
ing for faith, and they know what that
faith is.
MIGHT AGAINST RIGHT"
"over against them are the Allies, |
heterogeneous, ill-assorted caught un- |
awares, not taught or trained to think or |
to act in concert, feeling their way, find
ing their souls, learning by degrees the |
secret of their strength. They, too, have |
come together on the basis of a common |
faith.
THE issue, | say, Is clear but II is
easier to feel and recognize ii than to put |
1t precisely into words 1t means too
much. IL comes too close Democracy
against autocracy Is part of it, but we
dare not speak too glibly in this matter,
for democracy hcs suffered more by the
betrayal of Its friends than by the onset
of its enemies Faithfulness to national
obligation over against the cynical OPP
portunism of national selfishpess is part of
1T; but here again no one's hands are
scrupulously clean. The right of might
against the might of right is also part of
II, and on this point we can more con-
fidently judge the Allies worthy of their
cause.
"Clearest of all is the issue set and the
line drawn between those who despise
and those who magnify the claim of the
weak and small upon the great and strong.
Surely on this greatest of all issues there
can be no hesitation for us.
WAR IN OUR BEHALF"
'"The ideals of brotherhood and of the
service OF the weak and needy
give all the keynote of our Constitution
and the true Interpretation of all our his
tory and institutions.
political neutrality may be a duty,
while political peace is unimpaired.. But
moral and spiritual neutrality in this
great war were for us Americans un-
worthy and unnatural. 1t is. Indeed, a
war for us, in our behalf.
God grant us never for a moment to be
of 1t, or to fail in our full ac-
not inspire us to high, adventure? Is there
not a war for US to wage? Is 1t not
strictly true that unless we are TO lose 4
our souls, We must enter into the fellow
ship of Europe's suffering" God forbid |
hat / should be understood TO mean
primarily, of necessity, the putting of
armies in the field and navies i'm the seas
he ordeal by battle; the wrestling against
lesh and blood. No, have in mind the.
and more exactlng sacrifice of
he spirit in its wrestling against spiritual
,nemies
Earthly warfare has its spirituaI uses
Out of 1t God brings the flower and
r'lit of faith and faithfulness In il he
Indicates his Lordship. Let no one who
believes In Christ deny this, A flood of
perfectly convincing evidence tells of a
purified. ennobled. loving and unselfsh ,
lfe that is being horn in England. France
md Russia. Belgium, in its present agony
# martyrdom, is far greater and more
,otent for the worlds good than the peace
ul and prosperous Belgium of 10 years
lgo. living largely by the martyrdom OF
,thers
"a DEVILS PEACE"
There is a devils peace, a peace pur-
hased OF aud presided over by the devil
ust as there Is a holy war, a war Ia
leaven, war on earth for heavens sake
n Heavens name. II may be that our
NATIONAL salvation can only come 80 al
~ fire' II SO, God grant US manhood
md courage. faith and grace sufficient
I