Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-02
Why This War is Gods War.

WHY lnlS war 10 uOu war;
Omaha, April 2S.--To the Editor of
The Bee: There is much darkness on
the part of many minds lately con-
corning this great war. do think
that, except God give US light, the
whole question is shrouded in COM
plete darkness.
First, God has always been inter-
ested in war and has from time to
time commanded his people to fight
and to use force to bring about cons
dition Of things which he desired.
(See / Chron. 15:14-1b. Also see /
Sam. Oh. ~ In the latter refer
ence you will find that God was in
tensely interested in this shepherd boy
who visited his soldier brothers in the
army of Saul and God SO overruled
that visit that this red-cheeked' shep-
herd boy was proclaimed hero for
Staying the giant Philistine, and that
single-handed combat lifted the shep-
herd youth to throne and the wear
ing of crown. That same king was
the forerunner of Jesus Christ.
would like to ask any person how
long would 1t have been before we
would have gotten rid of the negro
slavery in the south If the soldiers Of
Abraham Lincoln had not fought for
the emancipation of the black man?
The south laughed at every argument
that had been put up for fifty years,
but they bowed to the arbitrament of
war. g'
Again God prophesied this war and
told Of the very events which are now
coming to pass. (Read Zephaniah 1:14-
TO-. Also Zeph. 3:S-9.) The con-
ditions described in these chapters
have never been fulfilled in the his
tory Of the world till now. Now they
are fulfilled. God said He would do
than that. Our loving Savior Him
self said in Luke 22:26 on the eve of
His crucifixion, HE that hath no
sword let him sell his garment and
buy one"
1 believe that for 5000 years God
has endeavored to save men by His
dispensations Of law and Of grace, but
the majority Of men have refused the
Divine call. I do believe that world.
wide conditions which offended God
and destroyed men could never be
changed until God used the very
means that He Is using today.
A very striking and remarkable
thing has recently occurred in Asiatic
Turkey. There Is section of coun-
try there long known in Bible history
by the name Of Mesopotamia. Abra-
ham and his followers at one time
ors of Rome, like Julius Caesar and
Marcus Aurelius, were interested in
it and fought for it. But for 5000
years It has been, occupied by the
Turks. However, recently the Eng
lish soldiers have driven the Turks
from that Hand and this vast field Of
100000 square miles, especially
adapted to the raising Of wheat, is
now for the first time In all these CEN
turtles occupied by people who are
speedily Transforming it into the most
fruitful land under the sun. 1t is ex-
pected that 1t will raise 100000
bushels of wheat and will therefore
be the bread basket of the world. How
long, l ask, would it have been be-
fore the wicked Turk would have sur
rendered this wonderful land? He
would never have done 1t willingly and
by peaceful means.
Again it appears that the selling Of
liquor throughout the world Is to cease
in consequence of this war. What
could have brought this glorious re-
suit about but a necessary war meas
ure?
Notice, too, that it appears almost
certain at present that in consequence
of woman's part in this frightful strug-
gle Of humanity that women every
where are to have the right Of the
ballot.
Another result most commendable is
this, that the sympathy and aid Of
the intelligent and God-fearing ma
tons of the world is now united for
the support and the lives Of the peo-
pie Of the whole world. I ask what
could have brought about this remark
able result except the dire need which
this war has produced?
Lastly, a remarkable state of things
is now witnessed in the city of Wash
ington. The great nations of the
world, with few exceptions, are now
gathered together through their rep
resentatives, cooperating and delib-
Grating for the best interests Of hui
mainly. Their purpose is not a self