The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-06-13
The QUAKER
MIR. Editor:


| find from reading the Literary
Digest that the QuakerS or Friends,
rs they call themselves have been
holding conventions or mass meet
ings to reaiTirm their doctrine of
peace and opposition to war or to
bearing arms and to strengthen their
members in this peace doctrine; as
they were the followers of Jesus, the
Prince Of Peace, they could not take
any part in war.
New the truth in the case is that
Jeaus did not teach any such doc
tr.ne or give any such command.
Matthew 1924. Jesus says Think
not that am come to send peace on
the earth | came not to send peace,
but a sword. Luke 1851 Suppose
We that | am come to give peace on
earth?I tell you, Nay; but rather
division" Luke 22:35" And He
said unto them, when | sent you
without purse. and scrip, and shoes,
lacked sc anything? And they said
nothing. Verse PC. Then sand He
unto them. but now he that hatn a
purse. let him take it, and likewise
his scrip. And he that hath no
sword. let him sell his garment and
buy one. now il it was more impor
tant to have sword than an extra
garment, Jesus knew that those that
he was sending out to preach the Cos
pei would need weapons of defense.
and as a matter Of course he intend
ed them to use those weapons. And
| think il you my Quaker friends,
will find that Jesus himself engaged
in a fight when occasion required it.
When He had shown His Divine pow
er by changing water into Wine; as
the Jews were preparing for Ma
tional feast at Jerusalem, He went
up to Jerusalem and finding there in
the temple those that sold sheep, and
oxen. and doves, and the changers
Of money, sitting; And when he had
made scourg of small cords he
drove them all out of the temple, and
the sheep, and the oxen, and poured
out the changers money, and said to
them that sold doves, take these
things hence: make not my fathers
house house of merchandise. Now
II is natural to suppose that as it was
a national feast there were great
numbers of these cattle sellers in the
temple. but Jesus drove them all out
with the whip that he made; can
almost imagine how those big broad
shouldered Jews looked as they
crowded the doors, and fell over
each other to escape the blows of
that whip. They outnumbered him,
perhaps by thousands, but they were |
all willing to get away, perhaps call
ing back. don't hit so hard, that
hurts.
These tender-hearted Quakers who |
claim to be followers of Jesus would |
not make a whip or bind on a sword
to drive out the gentle Turk, or the
Hun, from the door
that protects them, what would you
do dear Quakers, if you saw Turk,
or a Hun, playing with your infant
child on the point Of his bayonet?
But your inconsistency shows clear
ly when you refuse to receive into
your society others who want to pro-
tcct their consciences by being mem
bers Of your society, telling them no,
you can't shirk your duty by joining
cur order; go on and fight and we
will reap the benefit.
Now dear Quaker friends, if you
are in favor of the war for the pro-
lection of the freedom of conscience
buckle on your armor and march; il
you are opposed TO it say so, but
q. Mt shirk behind conscience that
don't exist to avoid your duty.
Mamie j. Payne.