South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-15
WAR Is SUNDAY
MORNING TOPIC
Rev. Dr.. J. A. Burnett DeIiV-
erS Strong Sermon at Pres
byterian Church.

unusual interest on Inc spiritual
Side OF the War" A splendid mu-
steal program was given. In the
course OF his remarks the speaker
said:
we have not appreciated the real
significance Of the war, nor caught
all its lessons, unless we have real
lied the great underlying principles
involved and the spiritual reactions
which are coming to individuals, the
nations and the world.
We are longing for tn" day OF
victory. but when peace comes will
We be able to say. We are more than
conquerOrs.' because of the truer
spiritual vision and the added pow
er Of the spiritual in our lives?
Every utterance that has come
I from the men at the front and
from those who are closest 10 this
great struggle has disclosed the new
angle from which men look upon
life. and we must feel something of
the same spiritual influence.
A recent writer of war expert
Iences puts the matter thus: The men
I in the front line trenches have come
I 20 think OF God as a Tommy thinks
/ OF Sir Douglas Haig. Heaven Is a
kind OF general headquarters. The
order comes TO go over the top; the
soldier does not say: I don't know
whether I will or not; I never saw
| Sir Douglas Haig, there may such
person. but I want to have a chat
with him first; IL I agree with him.
may GO No. the soldier believes,
he loves, ne Obeys; and this has be-
come largely his new attitude in re-
/ ligion.
Men Are Finding Selves.
Men, there and here and every
where are finding themselves as
never before. When we are face
20 face with new issues so grim and
/ insistent as those confronting us,
/ life means more than the trivial
thing Il was under normal condi-
lions. In our hearts a flame IS
kindled which consumes the rubbish
Of life that has stunted its growth.
I'm other days our souls were
/ dashed 10 service by the mere sense
OF duty; now we are serving under
the spirit OF larger sacrifice.
"A new meaning has been given 20
courage. 1t is not physical, but IL is
fed from the deepest recesses of the
soul. This Is true in all spheres
touched by the war; the men them
selves are playing the game under
the intensity Of spiritual meaning.
1 Harry Lauder calls attention 10 the
/ impassive courage OF the French
/ peasants. They bear their trials
Through the knowledge that they are
suffering In a holy cause. and in the
end right and truth shall prevail.
The same courage is manifested by
those at home who have given the
most loved things OF life for the
victory of righteousness.
Learning Means Sacrifice.
I'VE are learning. as we did not
know. the meaning Of sacrifice. All
I along the years OF this unprece-
I denied war are innumerable Geth-
semanes and Calvarys. The service
OF the heroic men who have born
and are bearing the stress of the
struggle, is inspired by the spirit OF
\ the first Gethsemane and the first
/ Calvary; thus they have gained the
SUPP enc victory. that over self. a
gutter is always a selfish man.
/ These men from mere contracted
/ cyclists have merged themselves
into a great crusade
All this comes from the greatest
OF all sacrifices. Centuries ago God
hung cut his service star against the
/ heavens; it was not blue, but gold;
it was his only Son who had come to
the world. and this star guided the
/ Sages OF the east 10 the place where
the Son was waiting. the Son who
was 10 give his life in unseIhshness
for the need OF the world.
I'VE have caught the blessedness
and the peace OF prayer One SOL
der said he lived through all the
terrible days at the front with the
feeling that he might be meeting
God at any time and the spirit Of
submission. OF fellowship. Of COM
munion. was upon him Many hearts
are being cOmfortcd today through
prayer. Lauder says again: I have
wondered often what the fathers and
mothers OF Britain would do in these
black days without prayer to guide
them and sustain them
Nations Heart Strong.
1T is 10 this end that the church
is 20 give her ministry, II should
keep the heart OF the nation strong
not only for victory. but for the flu
ture OF humanity, for democracy.
and for the coming OF the kingdom
Of God This must not be allowed
10 become merely a struggle for
mastery. it's great ethical issues
must be kept before the public
mnid."
The sermon closed with the ex-
perience OF Harry Lauder at the
grave Of his son at Ovilliers which
he records IN his recent book, -
Minstrel In France" AS he closes
his narrative ne says Every father
and mother who loves a son in this
war must have a strong. unbreak-
able faith in the world beyond.
where you will see your son again.
nv keenfng vour faith Won will helm