South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-20

the eternal future OF the soldier
killed in battle.
Does the soldier who Ibravely dies in
battle, fighting for the right cause, 90 to
heaven, no matter what his past life
may have been?" IS question widely
asked.
The answers so far made by ministers
on this subject generally agree that the
American soldier who dies in this way
must certainly 20 to heaven, because he
Is lighting purely for humanity without
hope OF gain, and because his very act is
= perfect expression OF Christian faith and
sacrifice.
This theological view Is largely based on
Christ's declaration
Greater love hath no man than this, that
q man lay down his life TO his friend
st. John. Chapter XIII. 10.
There are. however, many shades OF
opinion on the suDJect. and many subtle
arguments from Scripture and theological
authorities have been used.
Now, while Il is widely agreed that the
American soldier dying on the battlefield
certainly inherits eternal life. II is ques-
toned by some whether the British soldier
is quite so surely promised this reward in
the scriptures And a still greater differ
ence OF opinion arises as TO whether the
French soldier is as surely to reach the
heavenly abode as his American or Eng
lish comrades Why there should be any
distinction made among the Allies soldiers
by Bible students is explained later on in
this article.
The Rev William A Smith. OF Boston,
has very eloquently stated IN a sermon on
the death OF a young American soldier
killed IN France the reasons why an Amer
lean hero must win heaven.
1T IS one thing TO lay down ones life
for ones friends; It is a far nobler. even
GOdlike thing. TO lay down ones life for
people in distant lands and for the stranger
within our gates. The people we serve are
few who could call any one OF us by name.
and all OF our honOred dead, and those VINO
csrry the aH-but-fstal scars of battle, will
be remembered and esteemed as unnamed
heroes who reasoned happier life beyond
TO give ones life primarily for the sake OF
something largely abstract and only sec
ondarily for home and friends and country.
IN utter ignorance OF how the struggle viii
terminate. unreluctantly exchanging the
Known pleasures and delights OF this pres
snt NE for the wholly unknown and at best
only reasoned happier life beyond-to give
one's life IN such a cause and under such
conditions e indeed to make the supreme
sacrifice, the sacrifice than which there is
no greater IN heaven or on earth. We only
haIf comprehend as yet what true heroes
these young men are. II 10 no cause for
wonder that with our lips we cannot do
justice 70 those who have died, are dying
or are ready 10 die in . great and chival-
rous Cause.
what q contrast the Germansi AS one
vT1tsr he's pointed out; Invaders, dy ing
on foreign soil, an outlaws DEATH The
world has never known such tragedy;
human beings like ourselves prostituting
their God given instincts and powers in an
insane desire for the uppermost seat at the
feast OF. life. to be greatest among all the
Kingdoms Of the world! How utter their
shame shall be. how bitter their conscious
ness OF It. when finally they shall be
brought 70 themselves and TO a realiza-
ton OF the unprecedented enormlty and
multiplicity OF their crimes! II is indeed
tragic that we should lose so much Of the
dover OF our American manhood. and our
Allies so much OF theirs; but It is unques-
tionAbly more tragic that so many other
young men. equally endowed in potential
!ty. should have espoused so despicable
and unworthy a cause. Let Us rejoice that
our boys have fought and are fighting in
such cause that the great Father in
heaven need not be ashamed 70 be called
their God
let none OF US be concerned about the
future Of our soldier dead. From the
housetops we may proclaim that never
we're human souls more deserving OF or
more certain 70 inherit eternal life. a
future so full Of radiant prospects and hap
piest promise. than those who have es-
poused so righteous and noble q cause as
summoned these young men from their
homes, and who give up their all 10 carry
IL on Let no one question which was the
sect OF these heroes. or II. indeed, they
were outside the fold OF the church. Sal
walton worth having is Gully such as char
scter will bring"
This view, however las not been ac-
cepted universally even with regard TO the