South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-18
.METHODISTS HEAR
STIRRING SERMON
Or. Parker Talks on Thanks
giving Theme for Ending
of Victorious War.

Church services were resumed in
Mishawaka yesterday after a period
OF five weeks, during which they
have been suspended on account OF
the epidemic of influenza The
services were mostly in the nature
OF thanksgiving for the termination
Of the world struggle and the victory
which belongs to the allied nations.
The Methodist church held n crowd
ed congregation and the musical
features were Of a high order Rev.
DR.. 3. +. Parker, pastor. preached
an admira BILE sermon, appropriate
TO the occasion, at the morning serv-
ice. We had three causes for thanks
giving he said First, the war was
fought TO a finish and did not end
in a compromise peace. Second, for
the rising tide of the spirit of inter
national good which is the surest
guarantee of permanent peace.
Finally, for the awakened conscience
Of the church on the real meaning
Of the gospel as a call not to SNUG
self righteousness. but to open-heart-
ed and generous good will to men.
Humanity stood at the cross roads
on that fateful day in August, 1914, "
continued DR.. Parker. Despite the
fact tina. we now approach our
selves for dullness in not reading the
signs of the gathering storm, this
war broke upon a complacent and
unprepared world with the sudden
ness of a thunder bolt and left us
dazed as TO its cause and meaning.
Various Causes Assigned.
Various causes were assigned,
from the moral obliquity of the
many powers to the existence OF
standing armies and naval arina-
ments. The great mass of people said
We do not know and can not find
out until the historians of the future
have had time TO sift the conflicting
claims of rival powers. and examine
state papers now held secret They
said its causes were too deep for
intellectual judgment and spiritual
discernment now. AS the war vent
on involving new nations and max
ing frightful daily additions to its
cost in human life and property. a
cIamor for peace was heard in many
quarters. Men argued that without
victory for either side it ought TO
stop because its issues were so OBJ
scure.
Merits Imperishable Fame.
'Pres't Wilson, who has merited
imperishable fame. counselled peace
without victory, and the pope al
Rome proposed a compromise peace
at time when such a peace would
have been a virtual German victory.
Had the hopes of these men been
realized at this time huma nifty
would have faced its supreme dis
aster.
Back of this war were questions
that could not go unsettled. God
permitted it to go on until its
spiritual issues were manifest and
the question that caused II answer
ed. The malevolent i'll will of the
military masters of Germany caused
the war Had we failed to carry or
until that will was shorn OF its
proper power. then in the day OF
Gods judgment we should have
stood bastard and derelict.
Glad War Continued.
'T am glad that the war continued
until the enemy was whipped and
this i'll will crushed to earth. rur-
key. whose i'll will for Armenia has
been the fostering sore Of Europe
must fall into good will or get of
the earth. The house OF Hapsburg
with its ancient expressions foment-