The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1918-07-04
breaches PATRIOTISM
AND RAPS PRO.HUNS
Rev. II. X. Pasma Scores Inactive
Anti-Americans In Sermon At Ser
vice Flag Dedication

A stirring patriotic sermon was de-
livered by the Rev. H. X. Pasma last
week on the occasion of the unveil-
ing of the church service flag bear
ing stars for the young men of the
congregation now in the army and
navy.
Rev. Pasma scored those who are
taking a negative diSloyal stand at
this time and advocated active Am
ericanism.
The following was Rev. Pasma s
sermon:
Esther 4:14; For if thou altogeth-
ar holdest thy peace at this time,
then shall there enlargement and de-
liverance arise to the Jews from an
other place; but thou and thy ia
ther's house shall perish; and who
knoweth whether thou crt come to
the kingdom for such time as this?
In the words of Mordecai the Jew
there is the element of doubt. 1t Is
not so much a wavering faith, for
Mordecai is conscious of Gods over
ruling providence in all matters mum
dane; but rather perplexity as to
the part which that God assigns to
him and his niece in the critical times
ct hand. Thus it may be with us in
the times which have come to us. He
sitancy is only natural. 1t is the part
of only jingoe5 and warmakers to
blatartly rail. and heedlessly cast a
nation into the abysm of war. In
times of stress it is unsafe to listen
to the professional agitator. The
chief of our nation was slow to act.
Only after provocation upon proyoca-
tion came did he lead the American
nation into the mighty struggle. New
ertheless. great moral questions are
not at once clear their issue receives
birth only slowly and painfully; and
well it is to at all times repeat the
question of Mordecai, and to read
lust ourselves to our duties and re-
sponsibilitics.
"these times" applicable both to Nor
decai's and our times. Haman, fool
Z ish as he was proud, had designed
-tne destruction of the people Of God.
Mordecai, the ardent patriot, sits
down in sackcloth and ashes. Israel
seems doomed. But there is Esther
placed by Providence in place OF
both honor and influence. But the
queen may easily be overcome by the
temptation to remain inactive; 10
not concern herself with the woe Oh
her people. Hence the straight lot
ward question of Mordecai, "Who
knoweth whether or not Tor THESE
times God has brought thee into the
kingdom?" The man of experience
recognizes an overruling providence
.If thou holdest thy peace then shai
there enlargement and del'verahct
arise from another place" But he II
elso conscious of his duty to coop
crate with God.
'sThese times" of the present IKE
wise command thoughtfulness. There
;s two fold manifestation in thi'
war. AS to the material side OF H. i
10 the nightiest conflict of the ages
At first we beheld it from afar'
mighty, grand, though AWFUL spec
tacle. AT first others homes, them
solves their sons; now our posses
sions. ourselves, our sons. ocieho'
has been made subservient TO human
ity's worse curse, war. Cory pal.ie
. fields tell of destruction; the valley
s,d hilltops of France testify to NOR
tai sacrifice. Only the thoueh.ies
live on and mark not the march
the ages.
Rut there is also the spiritual sld
of the war. Every great war Oh ms
tory had its spiritual background
II is true. as Henry Morgenthau sta'
cd recently. that the great war ma
haen brought on by the greed OF me
and of nations for material "eai'
and power" But wars, long wars q
pecially, carry within themselves IN
Il,
mower to purge and cleanse. VIVA
we are witnessing today is two pal
ties: the one proving day by oay II
dangerous program, national an
moral: a fierce philosophy OF III
engendered from men antagonistic
,ife's best interests, of love, OF uhse
fshness, of pity; philosophy no
nulsing as a black poison thru u
veins of a once lofty nation IN
other party, sobered by suffering 10
saking false grounds and gods, al
seeing the danger, not only ior 'nei
selves. but for others; for the sha
nation. for the weak individual II
the things of the common man. yo'
simple interests and nine WIN
make life worth living. Shaa
altogether hold our peace now "h'
y God Almighty is sitting out the sou
= of men before his judgement sea-
For significant times orihs WI