The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-03-30
THE PEOPLE SHOULD PRAY.

gravest crisis that has confronted it
since the Civil War. We solemnly
believe it TO be our duty to present
reasons against war. which we have
done with whatever OF power We
possess. And we shall continue to do
this unless and until congress
declares war. After that it will be
too late for as TO say a word. Our
duty will be to accept the decree OF
our country expressed through its
proper representative body. We are
doing our duty now and shall do our
duty then. In the midst of this, 1t
goes without saying that our views
do not meet the approva! OF every
one. That we expect. We grant 9TH
ers the right to differ with US and
only assert the privilege OF differing
with them, and whether they grant
US this privilege or not, we shall COLI
tinue earnestly to exercise it.
But We realize that the decision IN
this matter is fast passing out of the
hands of mere men. We discern that
rapidly a divinity is shaping our
ends. whether for veal or woe, for
xpeace or war, We know not" There
is a moment for nations, as for men,
when the Supreme Ruler OF the uni
verse directs the course of events
The armies of the land are in the
hollow of His hand. Their seeming
might is but a speck of dust. The
debates Of congress are but confused
jargon when He speaks. Whether
our armies shall march to join the
hosts of battle is, therefore, in His
keeping. =
Let us then on this last Sabbath
but one before the congress meets,
pray to the God Of Justice to guide
the minds Of men into thoughts OF
peace, that, il it be His will. We shall
be spared the agonies of battle.
I'VE know the dogs OF war ara.
straining at the leash. Men have
lost their reason. Twas ever thus.
Before the Civil War there were those
who would drink all the blood split.
But they were drowned in its food,
and a. land that was fair and bright
was left desolate indeed, mourning
for it's children.
War is an awful thing. 1t is the
sum of horrors We should be glad
to shun it at any cost but honor. We
should not fall captive to false clam
or or forced patriotism. 1t is easy
to follow the crowd. But there IS
quiet peace that we all seek when the
very mountains Of. sorrow overWhelm
us. That is the solitude which
brings the solace Of prayer. Let US
seek it now, if ever, in the service OF
our beloved country. For there Is
service Of prayer far mightier than
any sword we may be willing to WELD.
whose point pierces Heaven and
brings God from His throne to abide
in the hearts of men. Now Is the
time for the nation to go on its knees.
May God guide US is our fervent
prayer today.-Charles1on American.
This is we'll and truthfully and
beautifully said, but prayer should ot
reverently and sincerely made in
faith if it is to be effective. The frss
supplication should be to give unto
those who have been put in position
of leadership and representative
capacity the power to control them
selves and to represent the people
and not go of into wild and extraVa-
giant expressions of what the people
want without first endeavoring to find
cut what the people really do want.
This is not an age of miracles but
there is abundant authority for bellev-
ing in the effacy of prayer if it be sin
cerely made with faith. We believe
that President Wilson is giving serl-
GUS and prayerful consideration to all
the great questions that are confront
ing his administration at this time,
but the danger is that he will be too
much under the influence of those who
are in position Of trust and leader
ship and who should, but who do not,
represent the wishes of the people,
and who may be taken as index OF
how the people feel.
We can remember hearing the peo-
ple talk about how some of the lead
ers away back yonder. when anotn-
er struggle was impending, would get
up and make speeches about drinking
all the blood that would be shed, and
that when blood shedding time
came they were not even within the
hearing distance of gun and nev-
er saw any blood.
Sometimes we are almost persuad-
ed that we have come upon that time
of which it was written by the prophet
of old when all the nations of the
earth should be at war with one an
other, but even if that be the case
there is no reason why We should not
20 to the God of the Universe and
seek his guidance in this time OF
peril.
Those who have experienced and
who have read about the war between
the sections may think that was some
war, and it was, but it is nothing
compared to the war that is now rag
ing, and into which we are about 10
,~o r,rrIy 0thora ia service OF pray