The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1918-05-15

idlSCSt HulIlOeI OF COMMITMENTS OF
any Protestant church in America
(seven million communicates, the
opportunity of service and response
bility for rendering the highest serv-
Eice is call to Methodists to re-adopt
the shibboleth of Wesley the world
is my parish and go forth to carry
ing the old gospel to men in arms
and in carrying cheer as we'll into the
homes from which these young men
have gone to win the victory for all
we all hold dear.
! One Supreme Command
"A recent occurrence across the
waters give new reason, and a con-
! vlncing one, for one organization of
: Methodists,' continued Secretary
Daniels. For more than three years
, the Allied countries, each under it's
own military commanders have waged
, war against one centralized military
power. They have fought we'll and
bravely, their leaders have not been
wanting in ability and courage, but
there lacked the unified direction
which is essential for successful war
fare. America, from its earliest en-
trance into war, favored one supreme
command of all the allied forces, but
there were difficulties and some able
men could not see the way to a sim
gle supreme organization until the
great German drive in March. Then
what had been seen as something de-
sirable became something imperative.
In that imminence of the peril of the
Prrssian onslaught obstacles against
one supreme military leader melted
away, and today British and French
and Italian and other allied forces
are modified into one invincible army
under the direction of that illustrious
French soldier, General Foch, regard
ed by all as the fttest to command
the armies of liberty. In this COM
mig together as one big army instead
as during three years fighting in sep
arate organizations, does not the re-
cent wise action in France afford a
convincing reason why American
M ethodists should do likewise, and
gain strength and power by solidarity
IN the onward movement of their
mighty Christian army?
I'm these latter days the world has
been buffeted on the waves of war
and anguish and tragedy unspeakable.
The ravages Of shot and shell have
pierced millions of hearts. Men have
lost faith in the old material gods they
once trusted. In the acid test it was
revealed that they had feet of CLAW.
Before the German greed converted
the continents into armed camps.
many of us believed the great financial
houses OF Germany, naturally opposed
to war were stronger than Prussian
militarism. We have found that mo-
ney and finance are impotent against
the cruel tyranny of autocracy. In
deed we have come to see every
where that the god of the dollar is
dross, and that materialism has no
poWerpoWer to bring comfort or en-
dure with strength. The light of
learning and science shines dimly
as men grope their way through
trenches or keep vigil on darkened
ships. Commerce is tributary to war
and agriculture is valued only as it
gives sustenance to fighting men.
Craftsmanship was unable to avert the
catastrophe that engulfs all mankind.
The world as we knew it before the
hymn of hate was translated into
slauhgter and cruelty no longer ex-
lists. In its place we have one por-
ton of the so-called Christian ma
tons composing the central empire
maddened by the lust of blood and
the other portion suddenly called up
on to accept slavery Or take up arms
to preserve their own freedom and
the liberty of future generations.
In this modern Armageddon, all
things which seemed stable have per-
lshed and troubled men and women
look in vain in all that man has Great
ed tor consolation and inspiration and
valour. Stoicism alone of all the false
creeds remains to those who have
courage without faith in God, and
while it imparts bravery in battle it
gives no warmth to the heart, no glow
to the countenance, and no radiance in
death. AS one by one the old foun-
: 1tlons upon which men have builded
c swept away by the tide of battle,
en- have struggled in the rushing
aters for life preserver. not for
cir bodies, but for their souls. They
ave, not found it in arms or NUM-
ons, in craft on or under the sea
in the airy navies graphing in the
entral blue. They have not found it
l the philosophy of fatalism, in the
opeless creed of unbelief in future
ife, in the gods of war and passion,
>r even the gods of ambition and res
button. In the blackness of the night
Of conflict no earthly glimmer has
frightened the pathway of nations or
individuals. Science and art and nu-
sic grid no man with strength in the
hour of endurance
Men Seek a Savior
GAN +o,,,o1oc &c f,1co ooIo III