A “CHRISTIAN” IDEA OF IT.
The following item clipped from the Pacific Christian indicates the feeling of a great part of so-called Christendom:— Once upon a time there was a stern pedagog who soundly thrashed a pupil for an alleged offense, and then discovered, shortly afterward, that the victim of his wrath was innocent of the misdemeanor. Calling the boy before him, he said: “My lad, I have discovered that you were not guilty of the wrong for which I whipped you. You have done so many other things, however, for which you should have been thrashed, that we will just call it square.” We feel that way about Spain. Possibly she is innocent of the destruction of the Maine, but she has been guilty of so many other offenses, that a thrashing would not be amiss. Certain it is that the people of the United States are anxious to see Spain whipped off this hemisphere. The common expression is, “I’m only afraid there won’t be a fight.” Not only Johnny, but other youths are getting their guns and are preparing to spill Spanish gore. “War’s hell,” as General Sherman once tersely remarked, but other things are even more so, and we confess that we believe that the best thing that can happen in the interests of humanity and right and ultimate peace, is war. We have no apology to make for Spanish outrages or cruelty. From purely humanitarian and political view points, America may be justified in interfering in Cuban matters; but however this may be, war is not justifiable from a Christian basis. “Put up thy sword,” was the command of our Lord on an occasion that seemed to justify resort to force if anything could. “All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” The Pacific Christian has for its motto: “That they may all be one; . . . that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me.” Would sanguinary strife between two so-called “Christian nations” be likely to make these nations one, or to convince the onlookers of the oneness of the participants? Is a Christian justified in a resort to hellish means? Are the cannon and the torpedo part of the Christian armor? These and a lot of other questions are suggested by such utterances as that above quoted. Here are some truly Christian utterances: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance;” “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” If “war is hell,” how stands he who has war in his heart?