The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-04-20

I
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 II is difficult TO be-
lieye that our peace Is not seriously
lmperiled.
What Is Our Christian Duty7
What is the duty of the American
Christian in such times? or 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.
!. His first duty ls TO become Intel
llgent as 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 II 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 sense 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 Il; and II
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 is TO exercise the
rights and privileges, nay, the sacred
obligations, Of a citizen. Humanity
speaking. ours is government OF the
people, by the people and for the peo-
pie" and we cannot waive the re-
sponsibilItles II entails without invit.
Ing disaster. We have a responsible
ty to express our opinions II we pos
sess 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 partlsanship, 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
3. This brings US 10 his chief duty,
that Of prayer. Real, intelligent,
spiritenergized prayer for our land
and its rules is not common even in
our pulpits. outside of the liturglcal
churches. at least, and is still less
common at the weekly prayer meet
ing. And lnasmuch 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
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 Off victorious, until the latter
was stirred by 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 war7
General Grant In HIS Memoirs" de-
clares that our Civil war was a judC.
ment upon us for our previous conduct
toward Mexico. God Furnishes nations
rs he does individuals, only they must
get all TINT 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.
ical and moving reason why Christians
,f the United States should beseech
he Lord not only to keep us out OF
var, but out OF that sin which must
BRING war.
The Comfort In the Text.
But there is comfort In the text
See that ye be not troubled" This
Belongs to the sincere disciple Of
Tesus Christ. There ls such a thing
or him as being in the trouble and
ret not OF IT, He cannot but expert.
'nce sorrow. and loss and pain, but
here are compensations for him thai
he world knows nothing OF.
And then that "end" OF which the
savior speaks! Before II comes. he
linseNf will como for his redeemed
'eople, who win be caught up 10 meet
lin In the afr. Oh. II is blessed
hing to be Christian. and never Is
no comfort greater than In such times