Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1917-07-14
"OUIT YOULIKE MEN,
A Most Interesting Sermon Deliv-
cred by Rev. E. W. Caswell
IN THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Paul's words for the Christian soldier
are equally true for the defenders of
the national life. He says, eight the
good fight" "Put on the whole armor. y
endure hardness as a good soldier;
obey the powers that be, for they are
ordained of God" Cromwell's Psalm
singing Ironsides were irresistible, be-
cause Faith in God and in His kingdom
Is the most inspiring passion for the
production of heroes.
After each citizen gives all he can,
surrendering himself, his wealth and
influence for his country. then he should
depend upon Almighty God for the final
victory as though he had been able to
do nothing himself. We must ever
remember that the infinite one is at the
helm of the universe. His winds and
waves once destroyed the Spanish Ar
mada His SHOWS and flames defeated
Napoleon in Russia. His Monitor was
Just in time for the Merrimac. His
rain so soaked the earth at Waterloo
that Napoleon was compelled to delay
the battle intended for the early morn
ing. till nearly noon. That shower
changed the destiny of the nations of
Europe, giving Blucher time to reach
the battlefield The Governor of the
universe is marching on; let US be care
full to keep step with Him; let us watch
fully wait His command and refuse to
surrender principles for peace. chart
and compass for cargo: Let us not
whine and tremble and shuttle when
duty calls; when the President and the
Congress command.
Can it be that there are those who
would rather save their pockets than
the Republic, save their pet theory OF
peace and lose the starry flag and the
golden glory of human liberty-rather
save self and lose manhood Such is
the moral bankruptcy awaiting the in
different patriot.
While weak wills are shaking, the
young men of the country are standing
firm, quitting themselves like men,
knowing that fear is defeat.
1t is said that thirty pieces of silver
bought Christ and hung Judas; so is he
who sells his nation and the interests OF
humanity for the ease and comfort OF
himself. Henry Ward Beecher once re-
marked, "When you consent to give up
YOUR convictions of justice and Liberty
for the sake of tranquility, you are like
men who buy a treacherous truce OF ty-
rants by giving up their weapons OF
war. Cowards are the food OF despots.
We must be on one side or the other;
there can be no neutrality now. "A
friend once said, 81 stand neutral on
this question:" He told the truth,
though he meant to be neutral. A
miser once remarked, "What l do or
give is nothing to nobody, another
double truth which should have shamed
his little shell of soul. Such peace
men will stand still while the starry
crown is being removed from Liberty's
brow, to be placed upon the alters OF
tyranny.
Rev. John Haynes Holmes, pastor of
the Church of the Messiah, Unitarian,
New York City, is peace -at-any- price
man. In a sermon preached in April
last, he said,
"When there comes call for volun-
teers, I shall have to refuse to heed.
When there is an enrolment of citizens
for military purposes, l shall have to
refuse to register. When the system
of conscription is adopted, | shall have
to decline to serve. If this means
fine. l will pay my fine. If it means
imprisonment, l will serve my term.
If it means prosecution, will carry my
cross No order of President or Cover
nor no law of II alton or state. no loss of
renutation, freedom or life, will per-
shade me or force me to this business
of killing. In this issue for me, at
least there is no compromise. False
TO nv own soul will not be. There
fore here / stand God help me ! l can
not do other.
Such citizen should be without a
home if he will not use force to protect
his family. He should be without a
citv if he will not help support the Off
GERS of the law in defending the rights
of citizens He should be without a
church if he sets such an example OF
rebellion against the call of his country
before the young people of America.
He should be without flag, for flag
that is good enough for protection is
good enough to die for. His church is
called the Church of the Messiah. but
Jesus says, Render unto Caesar the
things that are Caesars. He came not
n send peace on the earth, but a sword,
a sharp sword of judgment for all those
who finally refuse His mission of love
and peace to men. By force He will
oanarate the wicked from the righteous
His angelic hosts are His warriors, as
well as ministering spirits. They are
to help defend His kingdom against the
forces of evil"
The person who will not stand for the
defense of his country should seek the
aloneness of an island, where there is M
nationality, or become like the wander
ing Jew. journeying without any des
tination or companionship. The Hol.
Bible says of those who will not be loya
to Gods government, "These shall g