Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1918-06-14
MAINTAINING OUR LIBERTY.
(Rev. Il. ii. Campbell, in The Relg.
Gus Icruld.)


Gus lIcrald.)
Through the unhallowcd ambition
of the kaiser and his associates the
liberty of our beloved country is i'm
perilcd Our assistance given to the
allies, under Gods guidance, sooner
or later will thwart Germany in her
plans to dominate the earth and the
menace to our liberty will, for ~ while
at least, be removed
Obtaining liberty or rather prevent
ing Germany from destroying it, and
maintaining liberty are two distinct
propositions; the latter in the long
run may be greater task than the
former
Inside enemies are harder to con-
quer than the outside ones,
No one likes to assume the role of
an alarmlst or say things not alto
gcther pleasing. We all admit that
the chief duty of every citizen at the
present time il to disabuse Germany
of many false ideaswith which she is
obsesscd and to accomplish this un-
stintcd force must be used.
After this is done we should pur-
sue the course nationally and inter
nationally that will tend to maintain
our liberty.
Germany's prospective sad fate
should teach US that mere human
learning is no guarantee OF safety,
rather it is breeder of unrest, pro-
moter Of unjust war and digger Of
the graves of great nation.
Solomon, as an individual, testified
that apart from goodness, wealth,
wisdom, glory, honor, ETC., were all
vanity and vexation of spirit, so Ger
many as nation will ultimately bear
witness TO the same truth. Solomon
in his old age realized his mistake,
confessed his wrong and came back
to the true way. Fec. 1913, Id.
Let us hope that Germany. after
the painful, yet convincing lesson of
n bitter experience will do likewise.
To maintain our liberty we must have
Christian education; our churches
must retain an evangelical ministry,
must be missionary in all their de-
partments; special attention should be
given to the proper training of the
children in the fundamental doctrines
of Christianity and there should be
an exemplification Of these doctrines
in the lives of the older people.
The homes from which come the
citizens of our beloved country should
be such rs to mould character with
high ideals and inspire them to apply
the Golden Rule" in their dealings
with men.
The spiritual must dominate ouI
lives rather than the material; Christ't
conception of greatness must possess
men; serve others rather than be
served; the crucfxion of selfishnes-
and the cultivation Of philanthropic
ideas and practices must prevail.
There must come into the minds
and hearts of our people fuller real
iZation of our dependence upon God
for real strength.
We constitute n great portion OF
Christendom and are debtors toheath-
endom and other millions less favored
than we are, so if we abuse or fail
to use properly our opportunities and
half-heartedly meet our responsible
ties we will undoubtedly lose our lib
erty.
May the Lord of heaven enable us
to realize that the solidarity, great
ness and usefulness of nation de-
pend upon the right type of its citi-
zens rather than upon its armies, ma
vies, material wealth, splcndor, etc
If we are a great nation and believe
1--WE are, we owe this greatness to the
Christianity; our greatness or weak
ness will he datarmined lnr0alu h1