Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1918-05-03
THE CHURCHES IN TIE WAR.

The churches of tie United States
irrespective of denomination arc
practically unit in the support OF
the Government in the prosecution OF
the war. The following from the
American branch of the World AL
lance for Promoting International
Friendship through the churches
headquarters lO6 East I'D street
Now York City, may he said to be
typical of the spirit OF American
churches generally, Christian and non
Christian:
"As the United States enters the
Great War, the forces of the nation
are modifying for the conflict. What
is the place of the Church in this
hour of crisis and danger? 1t is to
spiritualize the nation; to keep the
war n conflict for righteousness, lib
erty, and democracy; to hearten and
encourage the men who 20 to the
front, and their loved ones mt home;
to build greater Fellowship of Rec
onciliation, consisting Of millions who
while fighting will love their enc
mics; to wage this war with the de-
termination to make an end OF war;
to so hate war rs to be restrained in
its glorification, noble rs is his con-
flict, lest the hold of war upon the
imagination of our youth be strength
ened; to give itself unstintcdly to the
relief Of the suffering ut home and
abroad which the war has brought
and will yet bring upon the world.
IN view of existing world condi-
tions the American branch of the
World Alliance makes the following
declaration in regard to the duty up
on the church:
The Church of America SHOULD
prove itself the loyal and eff
cicnt servant of the nation in this
time of testing. 1t should bear upon
the heart of the President and other
national leaders and the men in ser
vice, ever praying and striving that
the cause (Which the Nation has
dedicated itself may he carried thru
to high achievement.
The Church in all it's branches
should humbly and devoutly pray for
recovery of the lost consciousness Of
its essential unity and universally
in Christ, establishing in it's mem
bership the tendon of world-fellow-
ship Of goodwill and reconciliation.
1t should practice self-sacrificing SER
vice in the relief of suffering, earn
cstly cultivate love Of enemies, and
stand ready to share in the pressing
tasks of reconstruction and rehab-
ilitation when this war is ended.
The church should teach mankind
that Gods laws cover the whole hui
man life, individual, national and in
ternatlonal. 1t should deepen the
desire for national righteousness and
truth, unsellishness and brotherliness.
The Church should add it's strength
to the movement for establishing the
right international relations on an
enduring basis. 1t should viporous-
~ press for League of Nations.
having such features IA periodic con.
1erences, world court, commissions
OF inquiry, boards of Cancellation and
arbitration, and adequate administra-
tive agencies, to the end that nation
al sovereignty shall be more proner-
~ related to the international Jude.
ment and opinion.
The churches Of America should
support the policies announced bv |
President Wilson in his reply to the |
rope: Punitive damages, dismem- |
berment of empires, the establish |
ment OF selfish and exclusive econom- |
&c leagues we deem inexpedient and
IN the end worse than futile, no prop |
er basis for peace Of any kind.
least OF all for an enduring peace
That must be based upon Justice and