The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-11-25
APPEAL FOR UNITY
EPISCOPAL BISHOPS LETTER URG
ING SUPPORT or WAX MOVES.
'Nshaa Our Nathan Il ~ War In lse'
half Of Justice. Liberty and Human
ity. the Churchs' Station II at the
Front"

Our nation Is at war In behalf OF
Justice. liberty and humanity. When
these are in danger. the churchs sta
tlon is at the front
When the nation has with solema de-
ilbeiation entered war. voices which
have spoken for neutrality. nOn-re'
skstance or pacifsm are silence. We
hate war. and shrink frsm dts horrors.
hut we who enjoy the privileges or
civil liberty won by the blood OF our
fathers must, when they are endanger-
ed. defend them at the cost OF our
. blood. In the overthrow OF injustice
and inhumsnity Is the only hope OF per
msnent peace. Loyalty demands OF
every citizen unconditional consecratiou
10 the service OF the nation.
We thank God that from their homes
and parish churches have gone the boys
and men OF the church. eager to do
their duty wherever the nation sends
them We watch them with pride AS
they are mustered into the army and
navy t.., set.
As. the nation Is preparing TO enter
the awful conflict, we, your bishops,
remind ypu OF certain definite duties and
opportunities.
A nation, fighting 10 keep the world
safe for democracy must in character
ahd action be true 10 democracy. Rae
ial strife. class antagonism. ippurity
and intemperance wreck civil liberty.
BEFORE we cam conquer injustice and
inhumanity in others, we must first
overcome them. in. ourselves. Our guilt
ia these respects we must acknowledge
with shame We expect OF our soldiers
and sailors concentration of thought
sud action. self-discipiine, courage and
serenity under stress. We can demand
40 less of ourselves In humility and
sincerity we must live by the principles
for which we fight. National character
giyes thrust and force to the National
army the war with all its suffering
and loss may prove a blessing as ii
rouses us from the indifference to re-
ligion. to spiritual concerns and moral
issues which threatens our very life
At the source and foundation Of the
character of this people are Christ and
His church. If the force of arms is
necessary to put down wilful dis
regard of the rights and decencies OF
human life it is only by the persistent
teaching Of Christian principles that
these can be preserved for ourselves
or for the world. We need plain teach
ing Of the Christian religion, with its
insiStence on the claims of God and
the claims of our fellow-men. and on
Cots present gifts of grace by His
spirit through His church and sacra.
mcnts to enable US 10 live up to the.
example and precepts of His incarnate,
Son. cur Lord.
The president has well said that this
Is a war not of armies but Of peoples.
Every man. woman and child has a
place and is enlisted in the cause. the
army and navy at the front. we close
beside and behind them. though they
be in France and we in America. we are
one with them. bound together in a
common cause. Hence everything that
we are and that we do VIII unite I'm their
support. Every man on the fighting
line. in hospital or on lonely guard
duty. must feel behind and with him
the heart sympathy and action of the
people. To express this. we must not
only work for the Red Cross. and give
generously in money and comforts: we
must also be ready to pay heavy taxes
cheeffully. and buy Liberty bonds. 1t is
upon the peoples substance that the
armies move.
Failures In efficiency there are and
will be. Let us withhold criticism until
We are sure it is justified. Rivalry for |
position or fame has no right place In |
war or In organized beneticence. Force |
depends on united action
Next to the character and concentra |
ton of the people the fighting power of
a nation Is in the possession OF the |
staples Of life in food and clothing. Upon |
the economy. simple habits and self /
. estraint OF Christian people the nation |
mas a right to call with confidence. Ev- /
cry housekeeper and child. every man,
whether travelling or at home. has his
duty so to save food and clothing, mon
ey and everything as to provide for
our allies and for ourselves. COvetous-
ness and the seeking of selfish gain in
the country's time of need should be
upon as no less disgraceful
tban cowardice or rebellion.
The war department Is working out
8 great. and we believe beneficeat. ex-l
pertinent in warfare. Military discip-
line used to cut the armies of as much
81 possible from home and natural as
soctstions. Men in abnormal conditions
become abnormal. A soldier Is still a
man. Confident that the normal man
is the best soldier. the government is
doing everything in its power consist
eat with military efficiency to keep the
soldiers and sailors ia touch with so
ciety and home. to encourage right as
sociatiOns with the women and girls
ia the nelghborhood of the camps. and
TO build up the men. physically and NOR
silly. through recreation and social and
influences. While we trust
the general high chaacter and awaken
ei moral sense of our soldiers. every
officer of the church and every citizen
should see 10 1t that his town is clean
enough for the soldiers to roam in.
sod the officials and people should do
their part TO protect the girls Of the
oeig hbOrhood as well as the men and
boys who have come from distant
homes.
Grateful for the action OF the presi-
dent and OF congress in restricting the
and sale OF liquor. we urge
ali to support the authorities in en-
forcing the law: and TO set a personal
example Of abstinence.
The war commission of the church
has been created TO marshal the spirit
usl forces OF the church for efficient
seton.
We want the ohuch 10 follow our men
md boys with sympathetic interest and
10 offer them the sacraments and pas
iotal care. Reinforcing the commits
stoned chaplains. voluntary chaplains
II our communion. welcomed by the au-
.horities. will keep close to the camps
,ud naval stations. both in this country