THE DESOLATING INFLUENCE OF EUROPE'S WAR
By James O. Corliss
No generation of men have had the opportunity of studying the devastating actualities of war, as have the present succession of the race. Not only do those suffer and die who are absolutely engaged in field conflict, but the ravages of war extend to distant countries, and involve those who take no part with either side in the strife at arms. This must necessarily be the case; for all these distant countries are in some measure dependent on those engaged in the strife as customers for the products of their fields and workshops. But in the midst of national contest over some fancied grievance, every energy is expended in the interest of individual claims, to the detriment of commercial intercourse. This leaves the neutral countries lacking in traffic, and plunges them into want bordering on destitution. Late word from the far East tells of suffering even in the Holy Land on account of the present European conflict. So great, indeed, is the distress in Palestine, that the American Israelite, of Cincinnati, pleads with all classes of American Hebrews to join in a general relief movement. This was the condition before the mobilization of the Turkish army, which latter movement is sure to bring about even worse circumstances. As quoted in the Literary Digest of November 14, the American Israelite says that the Palestine orange, wine, and almond crops, worth about $600,000, are entirely non-marketable, and wage-earners are facing starvation. Many Jews in that land entirely depend on charitable gifts, which have hitherto largely come from Hungary, Poland, and Russia. These gifts have now ceased, and this leaves that class in a most wretched situation. Confiscating Supplies for the Army
Besides all this, since the mobilization of the Turkish troops, that power has not only drafted all able men between the ages of twenty and forty-five to serve in the army, but it has also pillaged stores and all sorts of business places for army supplies. Of course the prices of food have soared above the reach of those who are in the common walks of life, and disease follows in the wake of this destitution. It is also rumored that at the time of sending the afore-mentioned communication, there was only flour enough in the city of Jerusalem to last a month. The Prophet's Vivid Vision
Truly the horrors of war are beyond just estimation by those who are not direct sufferers from it. Only in one way can these horrors be conceived, and that is by the mind's being opened by direct influence of God's Holy Spirit. Even then, one would undoubtedly feel much as did the prophet of old. Having received from God a prophetic view of the time just preceding the closing of earth's history, he cried out in deep anguish: "I am pained at my very heart; . . . I can not hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war." Jer. 4:19. Looking Beyond the Distress to the Remedy
The prophet follows with war's terrible results, in this strain: "Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled." But this was not all. He looked beyond this distress of nations, to witness the remedy. He saw no wisdom among men to stay the awful blemish of carnage, and so but one way was at hand in which Jehovah Himself could close the dreadful spectacle. That was by closing earth's sinful history. This part of the frightful pageant then came in view, which the prophet most graphically describes as follows: "I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void [that is, reduced to chaos as at the beginning]; and the heavens, and they had no light." All was darkness, because the sun, the moon, and the stars were for the time obscured. No man was to be found, and even the cities had crumbled before the face of the Lord, who was angry with the warring nations. Thus was the whole land made desolate. See verses 23-27. The Hatreds of the Nations
It is possible, and altogether probable, that the spirit of national hatred stirred up by the present war will not fully subside until the closing drama shall be enacted, and the Lord brings about a new era, when wars will no more be known. But this can not be so long as the author of hatred and strife is permitted to live and influence men. He is now evidently doing his best to stir the whole world to passionate strife, preparatory to "the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Rev. 16:13, 14. But amid it all, the preparation for the Lord's coming to earth, to end strife and commotion, goes steadily on in the courts of heaven; and at the opportune time, He will come to close earthly scenes, and usher in the reign of heaven, by wiping out every vestige of sin, through the cleansing process of fire. 2 Peter 3:10. Then out of its ashes will come forth the "new earth," wherein righteousness will dwell, and there shall be no more war. Happy day! May its advent speed! J. O. C.