The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-11-17
Pastoral Letter of The
House of Bishops


still lie gaping to the sky and Of
fer their dumb appeal to God and
man. If America comes out of
this day of world disorder richer
in purse and poorer in manhood,
she will invite and bring upon /,
herself the penalty Of debased
national life, or even of losing her
very soul. The peace that smoth-
ers s'.t' Library -N'"'e and mex
orable as ,nu w.. X giles
the bodies Of it's victims. !
So far as war is a discipline !
which man has imposed upon him
slef, he must look to himself to
get rid of it. Movements and as
sociations to promote peace are
not to be ignored or undervalued.
especially those which emphasize
the deep likenesses, and give Sec
ond place to the surface differen-
ces, Of the race. America is still
in danger Of race antipathy fam
ing into hatred, which always con-
stitutes an angry call to arme.
Her blood connection with the
whole of Europe is a glorious heri-
tage making in the main for peace.
Whatsoever dangers may lie lurk-
ing beyond our western horizon,
they can surely be averted by
spirit Of justice which has not al
ways prevailed in our dealings
with the Orient, the multitude
nous Orient which presently will
will be the centre Of the world 8
attention.
Again, no nation, least Of all so
vast and diversified one as ours,
is justified in trusting to chance
for the creation Of her national
character. She must expect OF
every one Of her citizens some true
form of national service, render
ed according to the capacity Of
leach. No one can commute or de
legate it; no noe can be absolved
from it. National preparedness
is clear duty. If this service as
sumes the form Of more military
defense, such can easily become q
menace, and will surely fall short
Of the pacific effect, unless al the
productive forces Of manhood are
at the same moment developed
. and shaped into social order anC
j. Righteousness. The only thorough
preparedness is that exemplifie6
and taught by Christ pre-
paredness Of character based upol
life with God.
Would that our peace toda.
were like a river Of righteousness
y as the waves Of the sea! Thel
! would we be indeed an ensign t.
+ the nations. But how different
! lease it is! The nat OH now a
+ war, whom thougEt.ess peopl
Z pity, have as much to teach us a
n we have to- teach them They II
J. bl,ke our worship Of comfort az;
q n oney by Their {! lilly offering, VI
% on a reeking altar. Of life an
4 treasure, in behalf Of what eac
# believes to be a spiritual idea
d they declare to us that intoxica
a ingliquor, which is so freely an
Nv carelessly drunk in our land, is
= national menace to be dispense
~ with at any cost Of lowered rev
IN nue. but with the gain Of heighte
IF ed virility they teach us that fot
as lis the staff Of the physical life, n
r. an invitation to daintiness al
at or gluttony; they rebuke O
es spiritual poverty by the splend
as of their spiritual eagerness, whi
re- out Of their tragedy, brings NJ
th visions from God and breeds NJ
he virtues in men; they shame o
,ot self-indulgence by a degree
nd self sacrifice that is royal In tn
les the priests that offer are the v
,lv Tins offered.
Ter We now come to the study
w, the causes Of our social disord
.ds whether they express themsel0
err in war or in diseased peace. VIII
'it- ever apology may be made, or
sh- cal explanation offered, at ho
cir or abroad, for the world confusl
to II is "none the less an OutcO