Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-04-28

IuOuSACS. 1NO mat
ter what our politics, we will not af-
firm that our chief magistrate is
mere alarmist; and therefore when
he makes such speeches and utters
such warnings as occupied him for
time last winter, it is difficult to be.
Iieve that our peace is not seriously
What Is Our Christian Duty?
What is the duty of the American
Christian in such times? OF course
we have in mind the Christian either
who has duty and responsibility to
the state and to God not shared by
others, however sympathetic thy
may be.
|. His first duty is to become intel
iigent 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 it true that to be any
more prepared is to provoke war7
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
iuence one side or the other. This
must be done in the light of God s
Word as we understand it; and it
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 citizen. Humanity
speaking. ours is a government of the
people, by the people and for the peo.
ple," and we cannot waive the re-
sponsibilities it entails without invit-
ing disaster We have responsibili-
ty to express our opinions if 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 thsse questions, not in the
spirit of partisanship, 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
CHI
occasion serves.
And then there is the sacred right
q franchise at the primary as well
as the general election.
The Lack of Prayer.
3. This brings us to his chief duty
that of prayer Real, intelligent
spirit-energized prayer for our LAND
and its rules is not common even ir
/ our pulpits, outside of the liturgica
churches. at least, and is still less
common at the weekly prayer meet
! ing. And inasmuch 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 {
remark of Admiral Beatty of the
British navy, who, in addressing {
communication to London society
some months ago, said, that in hi.
/ Or;pio4, +J,o ,,rocop+ xr,or 1,-o,,Id 80 !.
| brought to an end, and his countr,
come off victorious, until the latte
was stirred by a general revival. H.
is not the only leader in that nation
who believes her present Affections
are in some sense judgment upol
her for her sins And how truly ma.
the same be said for any or all of tn,
other nations now engaged in war?
General Grant in his Memoirs" de
clares that our Civil war was jude
ment upon US for our previous conduc
toward Mexico. God Furnishes nation
as he does individuals. only they mus
get all that is coming to them now
while individuals may have the wors
of theirs in the time to come.
And yet the punishment of nation
is that of the individuals who CON
pose them, hence it is the most prat
tical and moving reason why Christian
of the United States should beseec
the Lord not only to keep US out q
war, but out of that sin which mus
bring war.
The Comfort in the Tex+
But there is comfort in the text
See that ye be not troubled" Thi
belongs to the sincere disciple c
Jesus Christ. There is such a thin
for him as being in the trouble an
yet not of it. He cannot but exper
ence sorrow, and loss and pain, bu
there are compensations for him tha
the world knows nothing of.
And then that lend" of which tn
Savior speaks! Before it comes. b
himself will come for his redeeme
people, who will be caught up to NEE
him in the air. Oh, it is a blesse
thing to be a Christian, and never
the comfort greater than in such time
rs