Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-11-20

make US in anywise forget that the
strength Of men and nations rests on
strong moral and religious clarac-
ter. Sin, wrong doing, forgetting
God, giving free rein to lpsts and
passions, is q reproach 20 any
nation, as well as to any man OF
woman. America must preserve her
integrity Of character IN commerclai
dealings ard in public and private
life or America will rot De sac. nc
soul, that sinneth, II shall die vas
said Of the individual long centuries
ago and that same statement IS as
true OF the soul of nation as It IS!
of the soul of man or woman. IRE
nations t!hat haYo fn""n!t"n Goo ard
trampied on moraiity anG iigmt-
teousness have persisted from the
worlds map. and America snou!c
profit by their example
And | for one believe that IL the
main she has and is pTofiting ~
their example.
Some thoughtless or shallow ones
are saying that religion has lost It's
power and that christianity IS q fat
failure! !.
But why make such statements
and why draw such conclusions?
II is true that one comparatively
small but very powerful group q
nations have practically a.oandoned
al! principles of civilization as We!
as Of christianity.
Bur see what has happened as 81
result of this abandonment! A "of:,
has risen in arms against the evil
doors. and that because they Wefe!
evil doors.
Belgium die not want war. and
onlv fought when she was ruthless
IL invaded. France did not want ~
andthD' she had been warne@. co0:a
not bring herself 10 believe thai sic
would be attacked. anr so TIE s.
tack when it. dii come found hr
only poorly prepared to rapoi IT,
England did not want war, am
her army at the actual outbreak q
war was So small that it was the
object of the Tou.on's contempt and
lerisivc Jest. italy lid rc- want "ar,
and kept out Of it as long as she
possibly could. And last Of ell Amer
lea did not enter this fearful con-
1ict until with wc1dcrGui pai:enc"
ard unusual se'f-control her GIFTED
president had Q, }aGsted all the re-
sources Of reason and charity 70 keep
America . friend to a; parties.
What Some Of our pe&slmists FOR.
ret is the f.ct that it is idsi IS true
TO say that il takes two to keep In2
peace as It is TO say that i takes t>&o
to make fight.
Il is not true 10 the tScSs o. Inc
case to say THAI America ana ne"
allies have abandoned christian
morals by entering arc prosecuting
this war. They were forced into II.
and for the purpose cf proJe>tii2
and Dcrpc,aating those principles =
personal freedom, AID MatioAa! =
erty. and international GOOD Wi.
which have been jostercn oy and
have gradually grown w u@der
christian influence, and VITA "hich
| christian morals and christian nr3tii-
crhoud are msapar h!a' connect Il.
| verify believe THAT Americas en-
trance irrc this wcr was one of ths
! most righteous @"ss TIA. q aat:Gn
ever nar!ogmaG. and that the jssGas
=. sraEo IL this Grcs. conflict aI1
,.csc!y inJe. t"ino2 g.sh al' t">t
is most worth while IL religion an
II life
We must and wa intend 70 win ms
wac, and IL. winning O. i will 1r !
world victory over sin and evil, ~!
net . complete victory, and III jnla
sense aov a permanent vi;GGF. Evil
will 5,;I he via Us and militant -
many forms. When thlS war Is over
! trust there 81. result :or Inc
future genera! Limitation CT mai
iona armies a.Id armamcnt5. and be
s:la :hn,a2 Us ,.,,-.:,. alton :! I.,."E
orhc- sou imposed restrictions Of
selfish ambitions ~h.sa will 70 Iar
10 eliminate the causes or war be
tween nation and nation, Surrey
the world would sc tuli indeed .n"t
10 learn many lessons from The rear
fal experiences through which it ",!i
have passed. But W ii al; such les
sons learned il viii DC greatly wise
10 remember this a,so ---!i1n forces 81
evil viii still be possesse.! OF many
and potent resources. The world WAS
no. made in day. nor viii it be
made righteous as the result or orc
war though that war be wa%ed FOR
righteousness sake and OF the eig&r-
-;n cra Ia of tbis rr.+i,ct .1~u- "a rr-,,sr
And for these reasons / plead today
thar you do not allow the outward
circumstances of war to OBSCURE your
inward visor. They he many that