Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1919-10-17
THE COVENANT-IT'S PERPLEX-
ING SIGNIFICATION
(By John Bush.)


seeketh to be known openly. If thou
do these things show thyslef to the
world. John Ia.
When we remember how much of
the controversy in this old world of
ours arises out of uncertain, indefi-
mite, double-meaning words not un-
frequently resulting in bitterness
and jealousy in our community life.
When we remember how much liti-
cation arises from uncertain, inap-
propriate words and phrases in our
constitutions, statutes and contracts,
the Importance Of the meaning of
those high-sounding words which
have been used in drafting the League
Covenant should be obvious to all
of us.
"Prove all things; hold fast that
which is good. ."-Thes. V:21.
"And don't confound the language Of
the nation
With long-tailed words in oratory
and action"
Americas great statesmen have
proved that which is good. and among
the greatest apostles of democracy
who followed this advise was the i'm
mortal Lincoln, whose words were
straightforward and free from doubt.
This concrete man was always
thinking about concrete things, as to
their concrete properties and as to
concrete persons with their con-
crete rights. This fact was made
clear in his first inaugurated address
when he said: "The chief magistrate
derives his authority from the people,
and they have conferred none upon
him to fix terms for the separation of
the States. His duty is to administer
the present government, as it came
to his hands and to transmit it un-
impaired to his successor"
Lincoln did not deal with meta
physical distractions nor with the
beauties of transcendentalism. What
he said more than half century ago
was entirely reasonable and right
when he said it therefore it is en-
tirely and eternally reasonable and
right today.
When the American people con-
template the magnitude of the task
with which he was confronted it will
be obvious whether or not the writers
and orators who are presenting the
covenant wish to show themselves or
its Specification to the world, and the
one most perpleXing question in the
minds Of the average person is what
do these high-sounding words be-
taken? ,.
The President, now a confere Of
Europe's diplomatic body, is telling
the people that with the Covenant
signed wars will be no more and the
the American people may be per-
picked as to the meaning of the
words used; but as for it being an
impediment to future wars we can
either believe that or the words of
Jesus to his disciples, which is re-
corded in St. Mathew, oath chapter
from the 3rd to the 18th verses:
"The disciples came to Him private
ly, saying, Tell US when shall these
things be? * x * And Jesus answered
and said unto them, Take heed that
no man deceive you. And We
shall hear of wars and rumors Of
wars, see that ye be not troubled, for
all these things must come to pass,
but the end is not yet. For nation
shall rise against nation, and king
dom against kingdom; and there shall
be famines and pestilences in divers
places. x = Then they shall deliver
you up to be afflicted, and shall kill
you, And then shall many be of
Tended, and shall betray one another,
and shall hate one another. And many
false prophets shall arise, and shall
deceive many. But he that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall
be saved. And this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the
world for a witness unto all nations;
and then shall the end come"