Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-28
PEACE ON EARTH.

PEACE ON EARTH.
into an embattled world, embittered
Nv tho hatred that is the wage OF op-
precision. barbarism, rapine, despotlsm
and death, the spirit Of Christmas
brings an all-pervading reinsurance.
Above the roar of giant guns and
the shrek Of bursting shells, ABOVE
the raucous shout of criticism anu
legislative debate, above the mum ol
huirying machinery As II 1asnlons
new engines Of destruction. above tne
cries OF anguish from the m!lilons
VIC mourn for those who have 1aiien'
the. benediction. uttered centuries ago
comes clearly to our senses WIN q
new and certain meaning:
a"on earth peace; good will toward
men"
"The planet is at war; there is no
neace" We say, but as we would turn
sxain to the CHASTITY business OF con-
Met memories of other Christmas
times project themselves out OF hap
nv. peaceful past. Gradually our per.
creative changes and the history OF
mr. Chrixtendom unrolls like scroll
before our eyes.
means little in the procession OF tne
centuries; that there have been olhe,
Christmastides when war staikeo
through the world: that Christianity
has withstood successfully many an
assault no less determined than that
which we are opposing now.
ION earth peace; good Will toward
men,"
, It is at once a promise and proph-
ecv Long ago, when the world was
vcunx. a reckoning star lighted the
nath Of the three wise men TO the
1naneer where the Christ Child lay.
Tonight, in Bethlehem and Jerusalem,
Christians who have but recently re-
claimed the Holy Land for Him who
made it holy will sound His praises
10 the self-same stars which have
hooked down for centuries upon Holy
Land defiled, awaiting this day OF its
@,sscSe With majestic assurance that
:. the fullness Of time right must
conquer might.
~. history OF Christianity is the
history OF series OF terrible tests
and mighty triumpns. Inc c.ucl.
A-ion seemed the supreme mockery
to the religion Of Christ, but the res
direction gave to the world that Ado
inx faith which conquers death ITSELF
The laws Of mankind and Of nations
have for their base the laws OF Chris
DAINTY, They have been violated by
\ blasphemous despot who adds insult
10 his lawlessness by rewarding each
mesh excess of his barbaric followers
with the sacrilegious command. For
ward with Cod" Trading munitions
for the murderous instincts Of his
Turkish allies he makes war on help
less states and peoples. touches the
torch to the shrines of that faith
which he claims for his own. tortures
lefenseless women and ruthlessly
PUTS to awful death thousands OF lit
lie children, of whom we read, For
Of such is the kingdom Of Heaven"
There can be no peace on earth
while savakery and sacrilege hold
sway. But peace will come when the
forces Of right overwhelm those
which depend alone on might. Chris
tendon met the challenge when Bel
GUMS David found his arm too weak
30 slay the Prussian Goliath. From
every corner of the world armies are
assembling to defend the right and
to speed the day when the world
sxain may sheathe the sword after
victory over wrong and bow devoutly
under the benediction:
ION earth peace; good will toward
Aea."
And 80, this Christmas, let rB wor-
ship as we have been taught to wor-
ship IN happier years. Let us face
the sacrifices and the sorrows OF war
With the knowledge that faith and the
night have proved supreme in the
neat tests Of the past, and with the
inspiration Of that same faith to urge
each Of M to the utmost effort now.