The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-03-13

-" ~ ~ Vhiy a. uueSIiOn OF now BOOn
and in what manner 1t comes. The
tragedies OF disease represent a more
intense suffering than does death on
the battlefield, he remarked. Peace is
not without its tragedies, greater I'm
many instances than those of war. AS
such, he characterized murder. rapine
and qualification of mans basest pas.
sions--thing of daily occurrence in
times OF peace.
"A question which should be asked.
in peace times, is whether the great
principles of the Sermon on the Mount
are being carried out in political, so.
cial and moral conditions" said the
speaker in pointing out the enviable
pacific position of the United States
as regards the almost worldwar and
urging that the principles of this SER
mon be observed and maintained as
an appreciation of our peaceful state
The United States today enjoys
political and personal freedom
through war. Much of the develop
ment of the enlightened world has
been by war We are today an united
nation because our fathers were ready
to sacrifice property and life to bring
this about. No, the present situation
is not unique in Christian centuries"
With this introduction, DR.. Peirce
took up his consideration of Chris
tianity in war. He pointed out that
nowher in the life OF Christ does
there appear a single condemnation
of war or conquest. On the contrary,
the story of Christ driving money.
changers from the temple with a goad
shows Jesus attitude toward maintain
ing of great principles.
ITO sacrifice ones self is the kernel
OF Christianity" said DR.. Peirce, "and
it is, basically, religion to stand by
a principle when the same is at stake"
Real Christianity, according to DR..
Peirce, is to defend principle with
courage and to hold human life even
lightly when a moral principle is in
volved
Many wars, in the process of time,
have been for Justice and right, he
stated They are one of two kinds.
Either one nation is standing for the
right and the other for the wrong or
both fail to understand each other. 1T
should be the object of every patri-
otic citizen" Dr. Peirce declared, ito
end any misunderstanding which may
put nations in state of war"
The Revolutionary war was a strug-
gle for justice and right; Belgium was
absolutely justified in defending It.
self from terrible depradations, while
the United States, in the present cris-
is, has but single path of national
self-respect-one of high devotion to
duty.
That moral regeneration grows out
of the trying experiences of war and
that virtues are inculcated which |
would ennoble any nation in times of |
peace. was the pronouncement of the |
Kenyon president who told of a |
French lieutenant, whose arm had been |
shot off, who made this solemn dec
laration in Gambler not long ago.
Thus war despite its many horri- |
BILE aspects, possesses some sublime
influence, DR.. Peirce concluded, and |
there is single course open to every
strong man in event of this country's
being forced into conflict-a high de-
votion to duty.
DR.. Peirce's talk registered strong
ly with all of his hearers. One utter
ance, of patriotic character, produc-
ed an outburst of spontaneous ap-
plause while, at the conclusion, there
was quite a demonstration.
For next weeks meeting, the Y. M.
G. A. has secured Mr.. Nash Of Cleve-
and, who is at the head of the relig-
ous Y. M. c. A. work there. The
week following, President Hoffman of
D. w. u, will speak.
Y. M G. A. authorities feel very
much gratified over the success of the
meetings and the probabilities are
hat they will become an annuai win.
er feature of the work of the asso-
,iation