New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-10-08
FUTURE OF Fighter
KILLED IN BATTLE
Rev. ". W. Rose Expresses Views
on Their Eternal Salvation

Brief of sermon by Rev. William
Wallace Rose at the Universalist
church Sunday evening, theme, rs the
Soldier or Sailor Killed in Battle
Saved or Lost?"
Rev. MIR. Rose quoted Jesus words,
"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his
friends"
Mr.. Rose said: eff, in the estma-
ton Of Jesus Christ, it was the su-
preme sacrifice for man to lay down
his life for his friends, what would
the Master say of the man who lays
down his life for people in distant
lands, people whom he has never seen,
whose language he cannot speak,
whose customs are to him strange and
alien?
''rhis is really all there is to this
question of the hour, what happens
to the soldier killed in battle?
would Jesus say this. that DR..
Mark A. Matthews, moderator of the
Presbyterian church, preaching last
August in the Fifth avenue church?
be, the impenitent American boy in
uniform kalled in battle dies in his
aims and is lost. I honor him as far
as it is possible. I wish that he had
repented and accepted Christ. But he
had his chance?'
"Or would Jesus say this that was
said by the Roman Cath Ollie Cardinal
Mercier, of stricken Belgium If | am
asked to say what I think of the eter-
nal salvation of a brave man who has
given his life for his country's honor,
[ reply that without any doubt what
ever, Christ crowns his valor. and his
death assures the safety of that mans
soul. Can we who revere his heroisn,
doubt that his God welcomes him with
love?"
Rev. Mr.. Rose continued eff [
could not believe that tho good God
gives to these boys a second chance.
then I would be ashamed to accept
the rich blessings they have purchased
for me with their life blood.
IF God does not welcome these
with love, and with merciful provision
that they shall have chance to gain
in the next world what they may
have rejected in this, then 1 want
none of such God.
You ask what will that second
chance be like?
Let us take the familiar iliustra,-
ton OF the change which takes place
when g. civilian becomes q soldier. For
the change from earth to heaven must
be something like this
To-day a man stands in civilian
dress. He is amenable to the laws OF
the state. He is subject to all the
tenn ptations and vices Of the civiliZa-
ton in which he lives.
But tomorrow he steps out into the
world in the uniform of his country.
He is still the same man he was. His
vices are still vices His virtues are
still virtues. But while he has not
changed, his world has changed.
HE is not a civilian but a soldier.
He is amenable now to the military
code. In his new world there are not
the old vices to tempt him; the saloon
and the house of vice is gone. On the
other hand there are countless new
opportunities for him to cultivate his
latent virtues Courage become Il re-
1igion with him,-coWardicc, stingi-
ness. selfishness are put aside for the
common good.
I'm short the sefdier or sailor has
every chance which wise men can de-
wise for him to make man Of him.
self. While every chance is also given
him to throttle his old vices. his old
failings, his old cowardiceS.
Here in this present world is the
so-called second chance. Even con-
victs are to be given this second
chance to redeem themselves Yet DR.
Matthews would hold that God is less
mereiful and less forsiving than Our
own faulty human hearts.
ITO my mind heaven rs like this, q
place of the second, the third, Yes tho
thousandth chance until men and
women seize the opportunity and Will
to lead their own souls up higher.
How high Listen to Paul: Until we
all come. to the full grown man. to
the measure of the stature of the full
ness of Christ.
This is Paufs vision of universal
salvation. Death in battle is not a
pass book to heaven, neither is It the
last chance a man has OF winning
salvation. The only salvation worth
the name is the salvation that char