South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-25
Other Editors Than Ours
THE CHURCH AND THE LEAGUE
(By Rt. Rev. e. II. Somerset WaIpOe, Bishop of
Edinburgh i'm the Christian Work.

EulnDufgn IN the CHRISTIAN at WORK.
The church and the Lea que OF Nations. 1t might
be doubt has been said that this is one of
several cases in which a great reform being
ed out for the world without the help of the church.
that this wonderful conception has sprung into exist
straight out of the hearts of the people to ee
great need and the church has been a onlooker.
1t might be sufficient to reply that the peoples Of
whom il Christian peoples that the
determination TO abolish war which its inspr-
ing motive has Ions been inarticulate instinct Of
the Christian church I think sometimes we give less
honor TO the church than she deserves whs1
refuse to allow her any share In the shaping Of
worlds history except that which she does through
organized channel-a council assembly
conference. But the church difusive has an author
ity only less than the church intensive and perhaps
part of her is IN ore really influential than
the indirect through which silently and unconscious
" shc Perneates ard cha nges the consciousness
civilizations She is not then the seed which grows
into fine but the leaves which secretly eavens
the whole lump Quietly and persistently the spirit
of the Prince of Peace whose body she is has been
making His voice tell against And though the
process has been slow there has always been the
conviction in the hearts of faithful people that
the day would come when the would be
THE LEAGUE TO ENFORCE PEACE.
At the beginning of this greatest Of world conflicts
when the issue uncertain there
who held paradoxically that this would end war
Harold Goad, in his little poem entitled "Redemp
ton appealed for recruits on this very ground. The
who foremost in expressing these convic-
lions Christian more than this
think be claimed. Not only has the Christian
consciousness grown in str ength and denteness but
in the country which the conception birth the
church herself made definite and direct preparation
for it, Though it is that statesmen. Mr..
Asquith and, I think. Lord Grey at the outset de-
clared in general terms that the world henceforth
must be made safe against war America and Prest
Wilson her spokesman are more responsible for
the conception of the League OF Nations than any
other country Now in May. 1915 a wear before
America Joined the war. there already a league
established to enforce peace. The leagues program
endorsed by the National Economic league and
of course by various peace societies and generally
approved by the press. This three years ago
We naturally ask how this widespread opn-
ion formed There is little doubt think. TO the
proba Bile answer. In 1908 most Of he churches I'm
America established what is known as the Federal
Council of the Churches of Christ This embraced
80 denominations. including the Presbyterians
Episcopalians. Mehodists. Baptsts and suppose
every Christian denomination but the Roman Catho-
lies who probably asked. but refused IL made
attempt discuss questions Of theology or
ecclesiastical pOlity. but existed for cooperation in
service. Its work carried on by commissions on
social service Christian education temperance in
ternational justice goodwill and country
life nter-church federations Estate and locaD and
relations the Orient The represents near
" 92.O00OOO0 OF Christians a very powerful opinion
in the country Now these people were more or less
familiar with the duty promoting peace aud good
Will among men Of varying opinions: many were
actively engaged in H. The thought therefore Of fed
Grafton and cooperation in the OF ma nkind
familiar TO them. Out OF this widely dfused
Christian opinion there sprang that feeling which
year before America entered the expressed
IN league TO enforce peace