Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-20

"A discussion has arisen concerning
4 n the eternal future OF the soldier
killed in battle.
Does the soldier who bravely dies in
battle, fighting for the right cause, go to
heaven, no matter what his past life
may have been?" is a question widely
asked.
The answers so far made by ministers
on this subject generally agree that the
American soldier who dies in this way
must certainly go to heaven, because he
Is fighting purely for humanity without
hope of gain, and because his very act is
perfect expression Of Christian faith and
sacrifice.
This theological view is largely based on
Christ's declaration
Greater love hath no man than this, that
a man lay down his life for his friend
ST. John, Chapter Mi, Is.
There are, however many shades Of
opinion on the SUBJECT, and many subtle
arguments from Scripture and theological
authorities have been used.
Now, while it is widely agreed that the
American soldier dying on the battlefield
certainly inherts eternal life, 1t is ques-
toned by some whether the British soldier
is quite so surely promised this reward in
the scriptures. And still greater differ
ence Of opinion arises as to whether the
French soldier is as surely to reach the
heavenly abode as his American or Eng
lish comrades. Why there should be any
distinction made among the Allies soldiers
by Bible students is explained later on in
this article.
The Rev. William A. Smith. OF Boston,
has very eloquenty stated in q sermon on
the death of young American soldier
killed In France the reasons why an Amer
lean hero must win heaven.
ut is enc thing to lay down ones life
for ones friends; it Is n far nobler, even
Godlike thing, to lay down ones life for
people in distant lands and for the stranger
within our gates. The people we serve are
few who could call any one OF us by name,
and all Of our honored dead, and those who
carry the all-butfatal scars of battle. will
be remembered and esteemed as unnamed
heroes who reasoned happier life beyond
TO give ones life primarily for the sake of
something largely abstract, and only sec
ondarily for home and friends and country,
in utter ignorance of how the struggle will
terminate, unreluctantly exchanging the
known pleasures and delights of this pres
emf life for the wholly unknown and at best
only reasoned happier life beyond-to give
ones life-in such a cause and under such
conditions is indeed to make the supreme
sacrifice, the sacrifice than which there Is
no greater in heayen or on earth. We only
half yat w tr,,a herooo
these young men are. 1t is no cause for
wonder that with our lips we cannot do
Justice to those who have died, are dying
or are ready 10 die in a great and chiyal-
rous cause.
What a contrast the Germans! AS one
writer has pointed out: Invaders, dS ing
on foreign soil an outlaws DEATH The
word has never known such a tragedy;
human beings like ourselves, prostituting
their God.given instincts and powers in an
insane desire for the uppermost seat at the
feast OF life, TO be greatest among all the
Kingdoms of the world! How utter their
shame shall be, how bitter their conscious
ness OF it. when finally they shall be
brought to themselves and to a realiza-
ton Of the unprecedented enormity and
multplclty OF their crimes! IT is indeed
tragic that we should lose so much Of the
flower OF our American manhood. and our
Allies so much of theirs; but It IS unques-
tionaby more tragic that so many other
young men, equally endowed in potential
:ty, should have cspoused so dcspicable
and unworthy cause, Let us rejoice that
our boys have fought and are fighting In
such a cause that the great Father in
heaven need not be ashamed to be called
their God
Let none Of us be concerned about the
future Of our soldier dead. From the
housetops we may proclaim that never
were human souls more deserving OF or
more certain to inherit eternal life, a
future 80 full Of radiant prospects and hap.
piest promise. than those who have es.
poused so righteous and noble a cause as
summoned these young men from their
homes. and who give up their all to carry
1t on. Let no one question which was the
sect Of these heroes. or If, indeed, they
were outside the fold of the church Sal.
walton worth having is only such as char.
acter will bring"
This view, however, has not been nc.
cepted universally even with regard to tho