Widnes Examiner. — 1895-05-25 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

PEACE AT ANY PRICE.  Sir,—Whether your correspondent with a Latin name is a church or chapel man, or an unbeliever I know not; but his letter shows that courtesy is not one of his strong points. The application of such elegant phrases as "twaddle" and "pietistic cranks" to people who are deeply impressed with the conviction that war under any circumstances is an outrage upon the government of the world, and an unspeakable wrong to mankind, is quite unworthy of a gentleman whose education enables him to quote Latin. The question at issue, however, is not whether the advocates of peace are "pietistic cranks" or not ; but whether the wholesale slaughtering of human beings for any cause, or no cawe at all, is consistent with Christianity? 01 course, if our Latin friend regards the founder of that religion as a "mythological personage" I am not prepared to discuss the war question with him, as such a discussion might only gender strife, and perhaps lead to the suspicion that his facts and his reasoning partook, in some measure, of the spirit of that other "mythological personage" who is described in an ancient writing as "a murderer from the beginning." But what a wide field lies before our friend for the display of his talent in another direction! How scathingly and righteously he might denounce the hollow sham of a people calling themselves Christians who are groaning under a war debt of 660 millions, and continue to spend many millions a year on military equipments? He might tell as, too, that the wars of this " Christian " country have not all been waged for defensive purposes; for since the days of the Spanish Armada no nation has ever attempted to land a soldier upon our shores. He knows very well that we have carried fire and sword in every quarter of the earth for the avowed purpose of promoting British interests and the spread of the splendid civilization which savours so strongly of the beer barrel and the rum bottle. And waxing warm with his subject he might expose the hypocrisy of the priests in reaping a golden harvest every year tor preaching peace and blessing war from the same pulpits. But after all, our learned friend may be a Christian of some sort for the nom de guerre under which he conceals his identity indicates that he is prepared to fight for his altar and his home. Now let me humbly =aka a suggestion to him before he puts on his armour. Let him try by the standard of the New Testaments wheTher war is consistent with his profession as a Christian man,and if he finds that it is, let the result be published in the " Examiner," and Ifor one will give it a respectful and impartial hearing. " The Boys' Brigade" to which your correspondent refers is, from my point of view, another development of the diabolism whi3h exists amongst us and is,as might be expected. under the wing of " The Churcn." That venerable offspring from the hoary and blood-stained popery of pat times is quite consistent with her origin and traditions when she declares that it is lawful for Christian men at the command of the magistrate, to carry weapons and serve in the wars. , This diabolical proposition may suit the state, establishment of religion but it finds no support in the Christian code which forbids fighting under any pretence whatever.—Yours truly.