South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-09-24
KAISER OR CHRIST;
WHO ART THOU FOR
Rev. Parker Takes Up Vital
Question in Answer to
Atheist Critic.

Replying TO a certain critic. who
is decidedly anarchistic and atheous
in his views, the Rev. 3. Earle
Parker, pastor of the Methodist Me-
mortal church, delivered yesterday
morning one of the most forceful
sermons, teeming with patriotism,
that has been heard in Mishawaka
since the start of the war. Mr..
Parker's subject had been an
nounced through the press before
hand. consequently the large audi
torium of the church was filled to
capacity with interested hearers.
His topic was, The Kaiser or
Christ; the Challenge TO Militant
Church" 1t is to be delivered in
eight churches in as many different
towns within the coming two weeks
The new chorus choir sang for the
first time yesterday and greatly de-
lighted all.
Armed Revolt VS.. Anti Christ.
Interpreting the ethical signifi-
canoe Of this war as the conscience
of an outraged humanity in armed
revolt against the anti-Christ, Mr..
Parker asked, whence came these
ideas of right, these lofty ideals, and
who quickened the conscience Of
the world that has become terrible
as an army with banners? We
shall need to do some straight think
ing here. I do not make unwar-
ranted claims for my Lord. l am
aware that centuries before Christ
dreamers lived who, in their limit
ed circles. preached the doctrine Of
mutualistic self-government and fra
ternity and that since then men
have lived who have defended these
doctrines, though they have not
signed the Christian creed or pro-
nounced its shiboleths. They have
exalted power within men not over
them and placed inner right above
external might. But in Jesus
Christ's words we find their finest
statement. He has stamped His
name on the civilization against
which German, Turk and Bulgar
have conspired. The civilization Of
today is differentiated from the civ
ilization of Greece and Rome by His
name. 1t is our principals as Chris
tians that have been assailed.
Proves Germany's Attitude.
Last May a Portuguese scholar
delivered lecture in France on the
Ethical Significance of the War
This man is not a nominal Chris
tan. but he had this 70 say 'Twen-
ty centuries Of Christianity have ac-
cumulated in our cOnsciences a store
OF ethical sentiments which no
storm will ever sweep out unless we
are prepared 10 revert to primitive
savagery. The Prussian mind is the
opposite Of the mind of Christ. Let
me illustrate this by contrast. 7
read in the writings of Heinrich
Won Treitschke: The Christian idea
Of self sacrifice can have no mean
ing for the state, as there is moth
ing higher for which the state could
sacrifice. It's supreme duty is to ac-
quire the power to assert itself with
out regard to sentimental considera-
tons of morality with which it is
not concerned. The state is above
morals But I find no collection
OF individuals exempted from the
demands Of morals in the gospel of
Jesus Christ. In wirth's. The ORR
ent and World Politics. I read SEN
fences like this: One thing alone
can really profit the German peo-
pie: the acquisition Of new territory,
that is the only solid and durable
gain. But Jesus asks this Prussian
the question, What doth il profit a
man if he gain the whole world and