The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-04-26
4 SERMON BY
REV. s. X. PERKINS
Preached at the Congregational
Church on April I'D, and Published
by Request of Some Who Heard 1t.

!
by Request of Some Who Heard it
"Tell me, what hast thou in the
house ?" ii Kings, AZ.
There are sometimes crises in the
| lives OF individuals or Of nations
when it becomes necessary to take
stock Of ourselves, to investigate our
resources, and so prepare ourselves
as best we may against the day OF
need. Such a crisis had come to the
prophets widow, when after appeal
ing to the man of God, Elisha, she was
hidden by the prophet to search her
house and see what she had left that
could in any way help TO meet the
need of the hour, which was the pay
ment of a debt in order to save her
two sons from bondage. She had only
one pot of oil, but in the hands of the
prophet that proved TO be quite
enough. 1t is not my purpose today to
discuss this miracle, or miracles in
general, but rather to use the incident
to illustrate the truth that there are
times when the emergencies Of the
hour require men to take account OF
stock,-to find out what their re-
sources are,-and to be ready to use
such resources as they possess to
meet the exigency of the time. And
then looking to God for 4 blessing,
and for help, to go forth and do their
part in the common task.
Such time has come to us as a
nation in the state of war which has
been declared to exist between us and
the Imperial German Government.
1t is painful fact that in many
ways we are not so we'll prepared as
we ought to be after at least two
years of warning. Yet because Of
this there is the more need that the
entire people should be ready to re-
spond as best they can to meet the
demands of this solemn hour
1t is apparent to all who read the
news of the day that we are called
upon to be ready to mobilize all our
resources, and that in many depart
ments of activity very energetic meas
ures are being taken.
In his recent appeal to the nation
this fact is clearly brought out by
President Wilson. And if l had no
other motive the closing words in the
Presidents appeal would move me,
when he says: sand / hope that
clergymen will not think the theme Of
it an unworthy or inappropriate sub
ject of comment and homily from
their pulpits The supreme test of
the nation has come. We must ali
speak, act and serve together"
And so it is that the question of
the test is opposite when it asks:
"What hast thou in the house" ?"
The question is already in process
of being answered in various ways OF
investigation and organization. 1t is
crisis in which first of all the ques-
ton is one of loyalty. We are COM
posite people. There are many racial
strains among us. There is natural
affection toward those countries across
the sea whence our citizens or their
forbears came. And the fact that a
state of war has been declared to
exist between the United States and
the Imperial German Government is
to thousands of those who dwell with
in our borders cause for sorrow, for
they love Germany as their father
land. We cannot help sympathizing
with them in their sorrow. But If
these, our fellow citizens, read the
Presidents message to Congress they
know that he said, speaking for the
nation: "We have no quarrel with the
German people. We have no feeling
towards them but one Of sympathy
and friendship. 1t was not upon their
impulse that their government acted
in entering this war. 1t was not with
their previous knowledge or approval.
1t was war determined upon as
wars used to be determined upon in
the old unhappy days when peoples
were nowhere consulted by their rui-
ers, and wars were provoked and wag-
ed in the interest of dynasties, or of
little groups of ambitious men who
were accustomed TO use their fellow
men as pawns and tools"
And then it is to be remembered
Mr.. Wilson says again: 'We are glad
now that we see the facts with no
veil or false pretense about them, to
fight thus for the ultimate peace OF
the world and for the liberation Of its
peoples, the German peoples included;
for the rights of nations great and
small, and the privilege Of men every
where to choose their way Of life and
obedience. The world must be made
safe for democracy. Its peace must
be planted upon united foundations Of