South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-05-29
ASSERTS AMERICA
BEING BORN AGAIN
Rev. 7. ]. Parsons Says Great
Moral and Religious lnfIu-
enCeS te Come After War.

II is an easy matter for the public
10 sit on a cracker barrel in the
grocery store and tell the president
OF the United States how TO run the
government. said Rev. r. J. Parsons.
Sunday morning at the quincy Street
Baptist church. in his sermon on the
subject Preparedness" He said
that America is at present being
born again and great moral and re-
AgiOus influences will be the out
growth OF the new birth.
This is the time" said Rev. Par
sons. for the Cody men and wom-
en- OF our nation 10 be on their knees,
praying Gods wisdom be given those
IN authority. without respect to
party afiliat!on. / am willing TO let
the statesmen wrestle with this ire
mendOus issue. simply reminding you
that this is neither a democratic nor
a republican issue. Ii has been
forced upon US by circumstances en-
tirely Unforeseen at the last presi-
dental election. and back Of the
movement there are mighty forces
at work beyond the power of man
10 regulate.
A New Word.
Preparedness is one of the most
popular and most frequently used
words in the United States today. It
is a new word in our political vOcab-
ulary, and suggests a deviation from
the traditional attitude Of our gov
~.
since the war began in Europe has
this word been spelled with capitals
by us; but now 1t is the subject Of
debates In the halls of congress. the
cause OF mammoth parades in our
cities, the dominant issue in political
campaigns, and a common topic OF
conversation on the streets.
There are two sides TO this as TO
every other real question, and many
good and patriotic men are found
on either side: but whether we as
individuals are for preparedness or
against preparedness, one thing is
certain. that is that the United States
will become more and more i'm
perialistic. and Is entering upon a
preparedness policy, undreamed OF
by the founders Of the republic, and
no amount Of argument can stem
the rising tide OF popular sentim ent
in this direction.
Spiritual Lessons.
1T is my duty TO improve the OPP
portunities afforded by these stirring
times and point spiritual lessons
from them. The Bible as usual is
ahead OF the times in this matter.
The Bible IS on the side Of pre-
paredness. and speaks out with in
sistent words; tho trouble is we have
been so materialistic, we have had
our ears open to editors and poll
ticians and have been deaf 10 the
voice OF God.
I'm nearly every life there comes
a great and sore disappointment, at
some time or other. If you are not
prepared for It by an immOvable an
chorage IN Cod. you will be likely
TO lose your faith in mankind and
the world generally. Again. there
are many failures in business, ambi-
ton and character. Unless you are
prepared, such failure may spell ruin
Tor you: but failure may be made
cess. III YOU should be Frustrated
with a severe sickness. are YOU pre-
pared TO endure il heroically as a
Christian and not make yourself and
every one else miserable by your
complaining Are YOU fortified
against a great temptation
Unpreparedness here has been the
undoing of many a good man. Moth
ing delights the devil more than e
suipe a Christian. Are YOU prepared
for eternity? It may be at your very
door. at longest IL cannot be faI
away. only a hope i'm Christ car
prepare YOU for the issue Prepare
TO meet thy God 10y living for Him
day by day This is the best kind
OF preparedness both for time and
eternity"