The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-04-13

From tine Bishop of Maryland 1l1C
Madison Avenue.
Baltimore, Easter-Day, 1917.
My Dear Brother:-
Invoking upon w. all Divine counsel
comfort and courage, request YOU to
read tO your congregation at your
principal service on Easter-Day the
communication from me herewith ap-
pended; also use at your discretion
the accompanying prayers.
Affectionately Your Friend,
JOHN &. MURRAY,
Bishop or Maryland
TO the Clergy and Laity OF the Diocese
Of Maryland:
Grace, mercy and peace be unto you,
my dear Brethren, from God the Faith
er and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Upon this blessed day cOmmemO-
rative of release from sin and deliv-
erance from death, our country calls
US to arms for the cause or divine JUS
tice and human liberty.
To us this call is that Of God. Never
before has any Government 10 dill
gently sought to escape war, or been
I'd unavoidably driven into it- The
divine will has been most clearly re-
vealed to US through the medium OF
human wrath.
Gods peace IL at present impossible
upon earth because His purpose has
been perverted. Hia mercy Knocked
and His love crucifled, premeditatedIy
and persistently, by human and satan
ic personalities and powers.
Others may be willing to have 1t SO,
but not the people of God. They must
have His peace, and that the destroy
ers of that peace shall To- baniHhed
from earth, as were they from heaven,
the battle between Michael and the
Dragon must be fought to a finish
here, as was it there.
That we may not become a party to
the present defiance OF divine law and
destruction of human freedom, wv
must take a positive stand for univer-
sal justice and perseveringly strive
for the successful establishment and
permanent maintenance of eternal
truth. As followers Of Christ, we must
recognize our relation to Him and
through Him to all mankind, and e.
deavor To discharge the obligations
growing out OF this relationship to- the
full extent or the ability we possess.
This is Gods call to us, am fully
persuaded, in this most momentous
crisis in the history OF the world. a.
citizens of our common country W.
will make patriotic response to the
appeal OF our earthly rulers. As
christian men and women, let us add
1o OF xyiysfrr ~ or IN. nr7r
triotism and, with no thought OF ma
terial gain, extension OF territory, or
increase nf Aalflsh prestige and power,
offer ourselves tn God aHld our cOun-
try upon the altar Of service and sac
rifice for the establishment or divine
sovereignty and human democracy
among all the nations Of earth and
the people who inhabit them, 30 that
universal permanent peace may sue
ceed the present world-War.
let us have nO war cry but that of
God, country, and humanity, and let
US leave no service unrendered and
no battle unfought that will make for
the overthrow OF the power of hate
and the establishment of the principle
of love Better thu immediate liberty
or the future life than continuance of
the present life without liberty.
So to this end, and no other, sug-
gest:-
First; That all who are eligible for
service under enlisting law, imme
diately voluntarily offer themselves
for that service without delay
Second: That all who may be ex-
empt under existing law, but who be-
lieve themselves fully qualified, with
proper training, for service, declare a
waiver OF their exemptions, and fol
low the example of those subject tO
the law.
Third: That all who are ineligible
and disqualified, physically, or other
wise, show the willing spirit that is in
them and assume responsibility, ac-
cording to reasonable ability, for the
necessary support of All dependent up
on those who shall enter into right
eous battle for the enjoyment or hui
man freedom through the Vindication
Of divine justice.
Fourth: That common cause be-
made for the prompt enactment Of
such legislation, both state and ma
tional, a. will provide reasonably for
the support OF the families OF all en-
listed men Of the Army and Navy un-
til the war shall cease and those en-
gagged in it have returned to their sew
eral yocations of peace. This support
should b. made matter of legitimR-
tenn discriminate, regular cOmpensa
ton, and not left to the intermittent,
indiscriminate emotional efforts of
charitable dispensation. The war is
for the protection of a government OF
Ill the people All the people should
contribute through that government
for the proper, perfect prosecution of
that war Our women and children
will be found cheerfully willing in all
necessary sacrifice This necessary
sacrifice will be sufficient for them to
bear The government OF the people,
Ny the people, for tho people" should
see that no unnecessary burden is
added thereto.
Fifth: That we all pray continually
for the guidance of Divine wisdom,
the courage of Divine grace, the gift of
Divine power and the perseverance OF
Divine patience, I'd that W. may CT
dure To the end for the full accom-
plishment Of that surely directing Di-I
vine purpose of this titanic universal
struggle which will be eventually
to the eternal glory of God
and permanent righteous development
or man. And that while w. thus per
severe and endure, Ee increasingly
supplicate God i'm His own goodness
to hasten the time when this and allEI
bl1y on1 choH- 0oooo and