The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-29
ALLIES PAYING FOR NATIONAL SINS, SAYS DR. H. M. EDMONDS "As a Man SOweth" Is Text of War Sermon at
 the Lyric GERMANY EXAMPLE
 OF OVERAMBITION Theory of Superiority Over Other Nations and Misdirected Energy
 Will Cause Her
 Downfall

''The Sins of the Allies was the topic of pr. Henry M. Edmonds' war sermon at the Lyric theatre last night, when the Independent Presbyterian church op- served President Wilson's injunction to pray for the success. of Americas cause,
 While denouncing the mad military phi- losophy of Germany, which threatens all civiliza tion Dr. Edmonds took occasloh to point out also the wrongs ot Whlch tue allied nations have been guilty Iaklhs as his text the verse, "As man soweth' so shall he also reap Dr. Edmonds citco q universal law that makes men ana ha- tions suffer for their sins, inevitably
 Taking the Russian nation first in his discussion. Dr. Edmonds spoke Of the horrors to which the people of the empire had been subjected, cruel despotlsm thdt condemned political offenders to duh- geons death or Siberia. Oppression anu justice has made not men. put Ha- chimes. he said and asked, 'Ho" call thev be loyal soldiers, who feel no loy- alty? Russia is reaping as she mas sown.
 BELGIUM PAYS IN TEARS
 "Belgium is paying in tears and blood for her sins in the Congo Free Sta.e' through her former King, Leopold, whose atrocities in his passion for Weaitn are history." he said. Gallant little Ser ruim. though she held out 2S days against unnumbered foes, had to pay.
 .F'rance's greatest sin was her ioEe VI pleasure, and unsuitable thirst TOT pieaa, ,,re Race suicide that has caused sucn unea siness in the minds of her leadeis' is also one of the sins of France. ihe women, whose arms are empty, Whd would they give if now they had staiWai. ].
 sons to give to France, their beloved France! France Is paying, too. :,
 ..England's most glaring sin was orinA and ill treatment of her worKlng ciass, She will come out cleansed and puriIleu after the conflict.
 "America,s love of money, her corrupt
 municipal politics in large cities, are her
 sins The war will teach us variety ol
 things We will set new standards, aoopt
 new measures. new era will dawn
 when peace comes at last.
 MISDIRECTED ENERGY
 "Germany is a modern example of mis- directed energy and oyerambition TOT self" said Dr. Edmonds, 'on slmilai lines with Samson and Old Iesta- ment characters and their ilk, whose oe struction came about as natural Sc ouence to power lifted up and beyond H. self. transgressing all moral law in lts desire to get up; proud or us streHstn forgetful whence it sprang.
 .From being a young and simple na- ton. Germany has come far way. She is old and wise in the ways of the world Looking at the nation from all angles, should say that Germanys greatest SIT is ambition.
 Her writers, teachers and philoso phers have held out the theory Of her su- periority over all the nations Of the earth; that she must annex, or coionize' or acquire by fair means or foul. was the l text of her writers To achieve her great destiny she must implant her kultur into a II the nations of the earth, for their oWn good. nay, for their salvation, whetnei 1 they will on no; they must swallow II sooner or later. It was the outflowerlne of what was anciently said and written fnculcated into the nation from carries childhood, that has led the national am bition to uncover the sword.
 BLINDED BY EGOTISM "Germany is so blinded by egotism tha 1 she places the responsibility of this wal | upon England and France. She goes ss l far as to say that Christianity IS the out l come of slavish age, Jesus IS no propel leader or men TOT tIlS d6S, "ASiA 'Ai-o-- l is right
 "Placing qualification upon war, they ! being the leading people of the uni | verse desire that all the world shall p' 1 made like unto them. As one writer pu l ii. The whole wide world shall p' l healed by the German nation, so she en l deavors to extend her boundaries so tha I she may take into her waiting arms tnos' l whom she will bless with her kultur. 1 ITO gain this desirable end more quick 1 ly, war is made as horrible and inhumar l as ingenuity can make it. unspeakapi' l crimes are committed, unbelievable hor l TOTS are enacted, all ministering to tn l end that peace shall come more quickly | dictated by herself.
 "A school of philosophy which teache and breaches that might makes right l that might is all cOnquering, expedienc. 1 excuses all atrocities and crimes in ne l cherished programme of conquering Tn world and the more terrible the nor effective; this philosophy and it's preach ers are responsible for the inhumanit, that characterizes the German tactics Il ! warfare, whose command reads, leav the women of the foe only their eyes I whose treaties are considered merely Il the light of scraps of paper,' and easily disposed of. Against the massiv machinery of soidiery that Germany com I mands stand our boys and men with ou allies. with the enthusiasm and hig 1 heart and individual initiative of me ] who fight for a principle, ready to giv all, yea life itself. that liberty may b the portion of all the peoples of tn earth"