The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-04-21


thoughts No mat
ter what our politics. we will not af-
firm that our chief magistrate is n
mere alarmist. and therefore when
he makes such speeches and utters
such warnings as occupied him for
time last winter Il is difficult TO be-
lieve that our peace is not seriously
imperiled
What Is Our Christian Duty7
What Is the duty OF the American
Christian In such times? OF course.
we have In mind the Christian citizen
who has duty and responsibility TO
the state and TO God not shared by
others. however sympathetic they
may be.
I. His first duty 10 TO become Intel
Ilgent as 10 what the situation Ia.
How vast is the scope OF his investi-
cation? Should we interfere I'm Mex
icoY 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 IL 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 n 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
fiuence 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 I'm 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 10 TO exercise the
rights and privileges, nay, the sacred
obligations, Of o citizen. Humanity
speaking, ours is n government OF the
people. by the people and for the peo-
ple," and we cannot waive the re-
sponsibilities II entails without invit-
ing disaster. We have a responsible
ty to express our opinions II we pos
sess any. The press IL open TO many.
the use OF the pen I'm private corre-
spondence, and, thank God, speech In
still free Not in anger should we
discuss these questions, not In the
spirit OF partisanship. not TO foment
strife or 20 make breach between
men. but as Christians who wish their
country TO be right and 10 please God.
xuh
occasion serves.
And then there is the sacred right
OF franchise at the primary as well
as the general election
The Lack OF Prayer.
8. This brings us 20 his chief duty,
that OF prayer. Real. intelligent,
spirit-energized prayer for our land
and its rules Is not common even I'm
our pulpits, outside OF the liturgical
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 IN offered
anywhere, and by anyone? And yet
are the home, the church and the
school OF all places I'm the world, those
where the highest and best OF our ma
ton are 10 be kept in view?
One could not but be struck by
remark OF Admiral Beatty OF the
British navy, who, In addressing n
communication 20 a London society
some months ago. said. that in his
opinion, the present war would not be
brought 10 an end. and his country
come OF victorious. until the latter
was stirred by general revival. He
is not the only leader in that nation
who believes her present affiictlons
are I'm 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 war?
The Comfort In the Text.
But there is comfort In the text
see that ye be not troubled" This
belongs 20 the sincere disciple OF
Jesus Christ There is such a thing
for him as being I'm the trouble and
yet not OF t. He cannot but expert.
ence sorrow. and loss and pain. but
there are compensations for him that
the world knows nothing OF.
And then that END" OF which the
Savior speaks, Before II comes. he
himself will come for his redeemed
people. who will be caught up TO meet
him in the air. Oh. II Is a blessed
thing TO be a Christian. and never is
the comfort greater than In such times