Imperial Valley press., 1926-07-10
LOSSES OF LIFE
MUST BESTOPPED
SAYS MINISTER
Confined from Page y

tCOn1lnneG from rage
of the federal council Of churches
commcnds il for study and discus
sion.
In this connection it must be re.
called that the federal council of
churches was organized by % great
cummunions which have ioint
membership or more than 30 million
persons, to carry on their coopcra
tive work.
Because many church leaders and
officials believe the war question
one Of the great if not the greatest
moral question before Christianity
at this time, this message win be
discussed in thousands Of congrr-
cations and study classes by proba-
blv more than . million churchmcm.
bcrs durj"g the next few months.
Part f the message of the two
Hundred leaders about war and pence
ard the part Christians must pIav
IN the "ht. commended for study
/ - the dcral council, is as follows:
I'm r,cry age Christians are con-
pclled not only to voice their pro
test against the existing order bat
to point ont precisely what the spir-
it Of Christ demands ana to try prac
ticallv TO cmbodv it.
"In This effort to interpret and
arplv the spirit and teaching Of or"
Lord. the church. it should be frank
" admitted. has rendered a Scrvir"
whose practice has stopped far
short Of its ideals.
"War is the most colossal calam-
ity and s"ourGc Of modern life. II
IS not inevitable. It is the supreme
enemy Of mankind. Its futi!itv is
beyond question. If continuance
is the suicide Of civilization.
"Wc are determined 70 outlaw
the whole war system. Economics
and industry. social welfare and
progressive civilization. morality
and religion, all demand n new in
tcrnational order in which, right
cmsness and justice between nation
shall prevail and in which nation
shall fear nation no longer, and pre-
pare IOf WIZ no more.
"For the attainment of this
high ideal the life of the nations
must be controlled by the spirit of
mutual goodwill made effective
through appropriate AGENCIES. War
must be outlawcd and declared n
crime by international agreement.
The war spirit and war feelings
must be banish"d and war prcparl-
tionS abandoned.
"Permanent peace based on enual
Justice and fair dealing for AL alike,
both great anl small, must be achicv
cd. The Kingdom of God in the
relations of nations must be cStab-
.lishcd.
"ThiS Stupondous, difficult and
urgent task challenges the churches
Of America and all citizens of COOL
will. 1t is Il moral and religions rs
task. All the forces of civilization
must therefore unite in this noble
adventure of faith and purpose.
"Tdcals aud attitudes were out
lined as follows:
"The teachings and Snirit of .Tcs
rs clearly show that the effective
force for the safeguarding of h'mqn
rights, the harmonizing of differ
eNccs and the overcoming of evil is
the spirit of goodwill.
"The church, the body of Christ
all inclusive. transccnding race and
rational divisions. should heceforth
oppose war as n method of settling
disputes between nations and grouns
as contrary to the spirit of urin"i-
plos of Jesus Christ. and should de-
clare that it will not as church
sanction war.
"Thc church should not only la
hor for the coming of the Kingdom
Of God in the hcArts of mon hut
should give itself to constructive
nolirirs and measures for world
Justice and peace. II should fear
lresly declare its distinctive mcsSHgC
Of goodwill. 1t should nrc"laim This
message REGARDLESS of fluctuatinC
opinion and political cYi9cncics.
"Thc "hurrl, should teach patri0-
tie Supnort of the state, hut should
never become the aren't of the gov
crument in any activity alien TO
the spirit of Christ. The church
should look to tho responsible states
men cf a Christian countrv to con
Duet tho public business along those
lircs of Justice and reason which
viii not lead TO war.