Evening journal., 1918-12-20

'iopls: peace on Earth Luke 2
ia. christmas meetlngl, written by
~. II. Briggs.
Toward the close OF the war OF 1912,
he country was shrouded In deep
sloom; the harbors were blocked, com
nerce destroyed, currency deprecated
IN February, a ship came TO New YORK
bearing the peace commissioners from
5hent and the news that peace had
,een declared Men rushed from house
o house. People waving torches ran
I'D and down the streets. all shouting,
Peace. Peace. And it was even so on
Monday, November 81, 1918. New York
city and the smallest villages thrilled
the wireless message OF peace. The
Nhole world spent days in delirious
10y OF celebration. After four years OF
he blackest horror and terrible bur
iens. peace on earth was again a
reality. Our scripture reference has
received q modern Interpretation out OF
ihe bleeding suffering commentary OF
personal experience. We know better
.han ever before the meaning OF the
Angels Song TO the people 1900 years
lgo. They did indeed bring good It'd
ngs OF great Joy" TO all the people
xhen they proclaimed ION earth peace,
rood Will toward men," Four horrible
1eart-breaking years OF war have done
more 90 make this world appreciate a
moment OF peace than all the c0mmen-
alto rscould ever write or say about
he truth OF our scripture lesson An
I'D colored woman with a son IN
France. when she heard the news OF
peace. bought a tin horn, and went
marching the streets for hours In spite
II her sixty years. With tears OF Joy
streaming down her cheeks, she ex-
,laimed in her inlmltable way, BLESS
he Lord. | IL happy; dey say dat dey
s happy when dey gifts religion. but
,at amt nothing 10 this" And on she
vent in her Joy OF peace. We VIII not
top to snalyse what variety Of happi-
Tess some people have when they get
religion" but any religion that does
not bring peace cannot very long pro-
note happiness. How we feel Ike
lddlng reverent amen TO these to
hese lines OF Tennyson:
Ring out old shapes Of foul disease.
Ring out the narrowing lust OF gold.
Ring out the thousand years OF old,
Ring in the thousand years Of peace.
Ring In the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlIer hand;
Ring out the darkness OF the land,
Ring in the Christ that is TO be.
Christianity is not only the solvent |
sf war but also the source OF personal |
)eace. Jesus is the Prince Of Peace on |
ne storm-tossed lake with His disci- |
)les. He speaks peace 10 Zaacheus and |
he woman at the well Of Samaria. The /
rule OF Jesus over the soul Is the |
synonym OF peace unspeakable and full |
pf glory. All men in Christian lands to-
lay do not fully accept the efficacy OF
he power Of the Prince Of Peace. Ex-
president Eliot Of Harvard says, "For
900 years the ethics OF Jesus OF Naza-
reth have been in the world, but have
had no effect TO prevent or over reduce
ten evils Of war" Yet ] happen TO
have before me photographs in the
independent" Of German soldiers being /
led BY British and American soudiers, |
sven after all the cruel things the Ger
nan soldier has done.
The world Will never see greater
Of practical and pro-
practice OF the Ideals Of
,hrlst than the work of the Red Cross
Society for friend and enemy alike. !
christian ethics since the coming Of
he Prince Of Peace have driven the
lark strain Of slavery from the world.
ethics have abated the evils