South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-16
ELEMENT OF RIGHT

Jesus said Blessed are the
peacemakers.' not the pacihsts." de-
clared Rev George William Allison.
pastor OF the Hope Presbyteris
church. in a patriotic appeal in
which he said there are certain ele-
ments Of Righteousness involved i'm
the present international conflict
which give a religious sanction 10
our participation i'm it," but warned
his audience that i'm spite Of all the
courage and patriotism which is be-
ing manifested there is still appar-
ent among us the dark cowardice
OF Meroz. the Jewish city which was
cursed for not taking part in a just
war" The speaker laid especial
emphasis on the importance OF Grad
icating any such cowardice which
may appear among the people OF
this country.
He said in part:
The world is again thinking in
terms OF battle, heroism and life OF
Of our selfish ease and sloth. with
their attendant temptations to ener-
waiting sin. We have been challenged
20 noble common sacrifice for coun-
try and for God.
Has Religious Sanction.
ct seems TO me that there are
some elements OF righteousness in
volved in the present international
conflict which give a religious sane
ton 20 our participation. We enter
the war not for money but to vim
dictate some of the fundamental
rights Of civilized peoples. Rights
that have been built up by the eN-
pended energy and intelligence %
the men Of a half dozen centuries.
There is involved the question
whether the law OF necessity or OF
righteousness shall prevail in inter-
national relationships. For the raw
ished womanhOod Of Belgium, for
the starving millions Of Armenia, as
well as for the freedom Of our own
children's children, we rush 10 the
help OF the Lord. I know that we
need caution in calling upon God 70
witness 10 the Righteousness of our
cause i'm view of mistakes Of that
kind which have already been made
during the present war. But we
dare say this in all seriousness
nevertheless
ITS a dreadful thing to give re-
ligious sanction 20 war. The GER
tain emphasis of Jesus was for
peace. but not peace at the price OF
unrighteousness. Jesus said, Blessed
are the peacemakers.' not the paci-
fists And with Abraham Lincoln
we are not so much concerned as TO
whether God is on our side. as we
are that we may be on His. 4
Christian can never say. Ny C, TRY
right or wrong!' Compromise with
Righteousness is more dangerous
than a charge of treason.
Not All Martial
But this theme is larger than its
martial aspect There are so many
opportunities to come TO the help
Of the Lord So many great oppor-
tunities there are for helpfulness;
so many places where shrinking
from assistance is to merit the
curse OF Meroz' for our inactivity.
In our own civic life the battle ever
RACES between the forces Of sin and
righteousness. Do YOU skulk in your
tent a Stacker from the battle?
Curse We Meroz.' Is there a move
ment YOU could assist. an o.ganiza-
tion you could join. an act YOU could
perform 20 make the common life
more wholesome. sweeter. and
purer-if so. will YOU not come up
20 the help of the Lord in spite Of
the fact that there may be no
money i'm it, Let us never fail TO
do our whole duty God is the re-
warder of the just. Exercise a care
lest i'm personal civic and national
life we endanger meriting the curse
OF Meroz who came not up to the
help of the Lord against the
mighty"