The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-08


loves and saves, then there is hope
of permanent peace, and not till then.
1t may be suggested that according
to this theory America is spotless,
since she has not at least been drawn
into the vortex of this whirlwind Of
madness; and we know that such is
far from being the truth. No, our
fair land is smirched and soiled with
the same vileness and criminal folly.
But America is still young nation;
God is still patient with her; there is
ample time for her to fill to the brim
her cup of iniquity and to so weary
the patience of the Almighty that at
last she, too, will feel the lightning
and the fury of His wrath. At times
we can almost hear the warning, and
can almost see the flash of the distant
storm.
Listen: Not long ago very early one
morning, before the darkpess had left
the sky, before the birds began to sing,
/. heard rumble of distant thunder.
In the stiffness of the night it sound
ed ominous, startling, and suddenly
seemed to see a vision of the future,
the ultimate America, caught at last
in the consequence of her sin and
grooming under the agony of punish
ment Divine.
In the dawning of the morning
Came the thunder of the Lord,
The day of wrath was breaking
In accordance with His word.
Malachi Al.
do verify believe that unless there
is some radical change in our treat
ment of these grave issues that there
is no escape from the wrath Of an
outraged God.
Regarding the terms of peace for
the present war. Is it possible to dis
cuss the terms on an entirely new ba-
sis, in a manner different from any
hitherto employed, basis consonant
with our original proposition, love to
our neighbor? Let us see how such
policy would work out if applied to
the nations of Europe. Let us sup
pose that some years ago Great Brit
ain decided on a certain policy affect
ing her trade relationship with Ger
many, France and Russia. The policy
became law and was executed because
it was advantageous to Britain. It's
effect on Germany, France and Russia
would undoubtedly be injurious, but
that fact would be of secondary i'm
portance, and in truth might be con-
sidered an advantage as a retaliation
for some previous injury to England
resulting from a policy adopted by
either Germany, France or Russia at
some former time. Now what do we
find? When England adopts this pol
icy beneficial to herself alone and in
furious to her neighbors, exciting their
just resentment, right then and there
has been sown one of the seeds Of a
future war. A wiser and more states
manlike method of procedure would
be for England to frankly present to
Germany, France and Russia brief
of her new policy and inquire of them
, if such policy would be mutually sat
isfactory. If either Germany, France
or Russia should reply that such a
policy would in their opinion, prove
injurious, council of the nations in
volved could be called and after due
deliberation policy coud be framed
which would be- of benefit to all. Now
what have we found? Such action on
the part Of England would compel the
respect of Germany, France and Rus
STA, would win their affection. In time
of distress because of famine, pesti-
lence or any other affection, Germany,
| France and Russia would hurry to the
assistance of England, seeing in her
a big brother in distress. One of the
seeds of permanent peace would have
been sown There is no need to ex-
tend the argument. Its appeal will
meet every reasonable mind. But will
the minds of those whose high duty
is to arrange the terms of this peace
Be reasonable There is the danger
/ and there is the uncertainty.
AS some one has already suggested
there would no longer be need of ar
my or navy, except police force or
land and sea adequate to quell any dis
/ turbance that might arise because Of
some member of the new family Of
nations forgetting the rule under
which all were living. This police
force could be easily sustained by ;
tax on all the nations, levied in pro
portion to the wealth of each. VIVA
trife this would be compared to thu
, crushing burdens under which Europe
is staggering today
4 The benefits that would accrue Il
all from a peace settled on the term
of brotherly love are almost withou
number and volumes might be writer
on the subject. The imagination love
to dwell on the conditions which will
prevail among men when at last tn
! Prince of Peace has come to dwell il
| our hearts, our homes, our cities, an,
, the nations Of the world. Will sue
. an ideal state always be an ideal? Ca
J it never crystalize into reality? AS
: suredly there is hope. Read the sign
: of the times: Russia declaring posi-
/ lively against intemperance; Eng
! land trying to be as progressive a
Russia; France learning again t
! pray, if we may. believe reports of tn
, press. These are signs of deep i'm
/; port, they indicate that these nation
are at least turning toward The Light
Who shall say that they will not on
5 day fairly face the rising sun and be
4 hold the glorious day arise when tn
/ Son Of Righteousness shall shine abov
) a world undimmed by fogs, the mist!
S the dark clouds Of selfishness, pei
' versity and folly
i You and /, dear reader, may neve
| - +h.e ralo,.;o,,c dow Tho manor cnO