South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-28
JUSTIFIES PRESENT
WAR IN SERMON
Rev. ShoufIer breaches Ring
ing Sermon to Veterans
Church Flag Raising.

A flag raising was held at the
First Baptist church yesterday
morning following the regular serv-
ices. The exercises were in charge
OF the Junior Young Peoples So
ciety, assisted by the church con-
gregation and Sunday school. The
Misses Lena Fisher, Margaret Hoe
finger, Grace Webster and Eloise
CARRIER presented the flag to Mrs.
Adolph HOefiinger, who was assist
ed by Grants CARRIER and Jack Nc
Knab of the Boys Patrol in attach
ing the emblem to the rope while
the assembly sang America" after
which the Rev. Shoulder read the
poem, ITO the Flag of Stars"
As the flag was being raised by the
CARRIER and McNab boys, the audi
ence sang THE Star Spangled Ban
ner" The ceremony was concluded
with the Rev Shoulder prOnoUncing
his benediction.
At the evening services, which
were attended by a number of the
members Of the South Bend camp
of the United Spanish War Veter-
ans association, of which the Rev.
Shoufier and many others living in
Mishawaka are members, the pastor
preached his Memorial day sermon,
the subject of which was: When
is War Justifable?" His text was
Matt. 1888, He that loseth his life
for my sake shall find it," In part,
Rev. Shoulder spoke as follows:
Suddenly we were awakened by
the roll of drums and we felt the
earth rock to the step of millions
of men rushing into battle. Hell it
self seemed to have been turned
loose. We awoke one morning TO
find our own nation at war. We are
in the conflict and it is not out of
place 10 discuss the question:
When is War Justifia ble?' War for
aggression, commercial advantage
and extension of territory might be
questionable. but as l study the
teachings of Jesus they are clear
and unmistakable that there are
times and circumstances when men
ought 10 go to war and when un-
willingness on their part to all in
tent and purpose is not exercising
Christian principle.
The extreme pacifst will say
Jesus said. Turn the other cheek,
give not only thy coat, but thy
cloak; resist not evil. but practice
the Golden Rule ] agree with this
sentiment, but L also believe that 1t
refers to a mans individual rela-
ton to other men and his conduct
toward them. We must also un-
derstand that there are ideal con-
ditions leading up to these things.
Conditions today are not ideal.
There is nothing anywhere in
Christs teachings that makes it in
cumbent upon us even as His fol-
lowers 10 refuse the challenge Of
battle when the rights of our fell
lcwmen are placed in jeopardy. II
was the same voice that bale US
Resist not evil that also declared.
Think not that l came TO send
peace on earth. 1 came not to send
peace, but sword The two ex-
pressions do not contradict each
| other. Jesus did not counsel calm
acquiescence in all circumstances.
He Himself died for His fellowmen.
We are not left TO think that the
Christ we worship would step aside
while merciless wrongs like the
crushing of Belgium, the loOsing of
the Turk TO murder innocent and
defenseless men. women and chill
dren, while others are made vic
/ Tins of lust. Decency is staggered
when despOtism mocks at justice,
and when murderers gloat over
their sufferers In the name of God,
could any man claim that program
and call il Christ's? No, He that
| lOseth his life for my sake shall md
| il; and whatsoever ye do for one
of the least of these. my brethren.
verify I say unto you, We have done
| il unto me. "