The War and Some Present Evils

IT is a matter of much thankfulness to the Most High to observe the considerable measure of success that is attending the efforts of the Allies in the present terrible conflict—a conflict with militarism, cruelty, and unrighteousness in many forms. There seems to be no barrier now in the way of a lack of men and munitions, if an abundant supply of these will ensure inevitable success. But it is to be feared that there are still barriers of a moral and spiritual kind in Great Britain that may delay the victory, if they are not quickly removed. Some of the things, which we regard as barriers, are not esteemed evils or barriers at all by the great majority of people—they look upon them as harmless or even commendable—but we are fully convinced that this estimate proceeds from a judgment that does not look upon the things referred to in the light of God’s Word. There is a widespread departure from the Bible as the divinely-inspired directory in all matters pertaining to Church and State. Carnal reason and popular feeling are the unreliable guides in which the great mass of the community put their confidence. There is inexpressible need of a day of spiritual awakening and enlightenment, when the Spirit of God would bring back all classes to the truth from which they have deeply revolted. Let us notice meantime, however, some of the evils on account of which God may justly delay the victory:

i. There is the unwarrantable countenance given to the Papal Church by the chief persons in the realm, and these persons professedly Protestant. Whenever some Roman Catholic of rank passes away, the King and members of the Royal House are present, either personally or by representative at the Mass service. The same thing is true of the present Prime Minister and his wife. Recently he paid a visit to Rome. He did not call to do honour to the Pope, but sent an explanation that this was due to lack of time. Lately we observed that Sir Edward Carson, of whom

better things might be expected as a strong Protestant opponent of Home Rule for Ireland, attended the service of the Mass in connection with the death of a high Roman Catholic personage. The practice indeed is now very general among the social and political leaders of this country. It shows most clearly that we have greatly departed from our religious profession as a nation. The new movement for the setting up of War Shrines with crucifixes and idolatrous figures is another symptom of a deeply-rooted disease of malignant Popery in the Church of England, and the movement is getting encouragement in many quarters. In the name of a false courtesy, we are doing obeisance to “the Man of sin” which the inspired Apostle Paul describes as the “Son of perdition,” and we cannot escape tokens of divine displeasure.

1. The widespread desecration of the Lord’s Day. At present the War with its concerns is made a ground of justification for many forms of evil, and this is one of them. The Government takes undue advantage of the Sabbath in connection with military movements. We would not thank our high military and naval authorities although they should lay down stringent rules that no aggressive steps should be taken by Army or Navy on the Lord’s Day, and that as little traffic as possible in transport work should be carried on on the holy Day of Rest. Some of these steps may have the appearance of progress to human view, but in “the great day” when the books will be opened it will be seen that all departures from the perfect way of God’s commandments spelt retrogression and loss. And, now there has appeared a new form of Sabbath desecration arising from the shortage of food. It is no wonder indeed that our harvest was not a success, when we consider the iniquity which abounds. But there is now to be an adding of sin to sin. People are encouraged to work on the Lord’s Day on allotments of land given by Government with a view to increase food produce. Many, we believe, who never put their hand to such work before are now to be seen digging and delving on the Sabbath, as, forsooth, they have no time to do so during the week. Surely we are bent on wringing judgments from the hand of God. Such unhallowed toil will never keep back the calamity of famine; it may hurry it on with accelerated speed. May the Lord in His infinite mercy deal with us, not according to our provocations, or we are undone!

2. The hidden plague of immorality. We find abundant references to this of late in the public Press. The subject is too gross in its nature for us to enter minutely into in an article such as this. But it would seem that the Army is infected with it to a deplorable extent. The general laxity in morals, which has characterised the country of recent years, makes itself manifest in a marked way when the opportunity occurs. It appears to us that the law is altogether too lenient with this kind of corruption.

3. The evil of drunkenness. There is no doubt that the many restrictions imposed upon the sale of intoxicating liquors since the War began has had a salutary effect, and produced a more general sobriety among the people. But, if we are to believe the reports which appear in the Press—and we have no reason to doubt them as given by impartial informants—we must conclude that there is still a vast excess in the matter of the consumption of strong drink. Too many opportunities are also given to soldiers and sailors to indulge in this direction. The amount of money spent in liquor is something tremendous, and altogether out of proportion to what is given to religious and charitable purposes. Personally we do not commit ourselves to the unscriptural extremes of some who hold that all strong drink is an unmitigated poison, evil and only that continually, but we do maintain that at the present crisis its use should be reduced to the very lowest possible minimum. A wise measure of Prohibition would do incalculable good. God hates drunkenness as well as all uncleanness, and He will frown upon us a nation, if we do not purge ourselves from it at this awful time in our history.

4. The indulgence in vain and demoralising amusements. We do not know if the theatres are now patronised with an enthusiasm equal to that which obtained when the War began, but as far as we can gather, the difference is very small. The picture-houses, which are in many cases, we understand, equally demoralising centres, appear to have a multitude of frequenters, young and old. Horse racing and professional football matches still hold on their way. If it be nothing else than the vast amount of money that is spent on these entertainments, which could be much more usefully employed at the present crisis, it is enough to bring divine judgments upon us, and to bar the way to victory.

5. We mention, lastly, an inward disposition of mind that is an undoubted evil, and does not promise well for success, namely, that of refusing to recognise that we have any reason for personal or national humiliation or repentance. Surely blindness has happened to us as a people to a great degree. May the Lord in His great mercy open our eyes to see our sins, and lead us to turn in sincerity to Himself and His truth! Though we should get victory at present, it is greatly to be feared it would be no blessing at all but the opposite. We must come down from our lofty heights, to the dust of self-humbling and sin-renunciation, otherwise no spiritual or abiding good shall come upon us. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter v. 6).

COME here and see the victories of the Cross. Christ’s wounds are thy healing, His agonies thy repose, His conquest thy conflicts, His groans thy songs, His pains thine ease, His shame thy glory, His death thy life, His sufferings thy salvation.—Henry.