The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1917-02-03

&z&%H#@s89 land t m o 8 t
k8 E A deeply Occupy our
thoughts. No mat
ter what our politics, we will not af-
firm that our chief magistrate Is a
mere alarmist; and therefore when
he makes such speeches and utters
such warnings Is occupied him for a
time last winter, 1t 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 a duty and responsibility to
the state and to God not shared by
others, however sympathetic they
may be.
l.. His first duty is to become intel
ligent as to what the situation is.
How vast is the scope of his investi-
cation? Should we interfere in Mex
leo? 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 it 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 a 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
1uence one side or the other. This
must be done in the light of Gods
Word as we understand it; and it
must be done, not merely with the
thought of results in 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 Is to exercise the
rights and privileges, nay, the sacred
obligations, of a citizen. Humanity
speaking, ours is a government of the
people, by the people and for the peo-
ple," and we cannot waive the re-
sponsibilities it entails without invit-
ing disaster. We have a responsible
ty to express u opinions if we pos
sess any. The press is open to many,
the use of the pen in private CORE
spondence, and, thank God, speech is
still free. Not in anger should we
discuss these questions, not in the
spirit of p~artisanship, not to foment
strife or to make a breach between
men, but as Christians who wish their
country to be right and to please God,
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 to his chief duty,
that of prayer. Real, intelligent,
spirit-energized prayer for our land
and its rules is not common even in
our pulpits, outside of the l~iturgical
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 is offered
anywhere, and by anyone? And yet
are the home, the church and the
school of all places in the world, those
where the highest and best of our ma
ton are to be kept in view?
One could not but be struck by a
remark Of Admiral Beatty of the
communication to a London society
some months ago, said, that in his
opinion, the present war would not be
brought to an end, and his country
come off victorious, until the latter
was stirred by a general revival. He
is not the only leader in that nation
who believes her present affections
are in some sense a judgment upon
her for her sins. And how truly may
the anne 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 We be not troubled" This
belongs to the sincere disciple of
Jesus Christ. There is such a thing
for him as being in the trouble and
yet not of it. 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 lend" of which the
Savior speaksi Before it comes, he
himself will come for his redeemed
people, who will be caught up to meet
him in the air. Oh, it is a blessed
thing to be a Christian, and never is
tae comfort create t''= neh times
as these