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I WELL remember that, as a boy at school, I occasionally asked myself the question, "What should I do if I was called upon to be a soldier?" I cannot exactly say why that question presented itself, but I think it was due to one of the following causes: either it was because many of the lessons of history, poetry, reading and music were saturated with the martial spirit - war was continually eulogised; or it may have been because we were sometimes told that very probably every youth would have to submit to a period of compulsory military training. The question came to me in later years, and I felt that to be a soldier I should have to cast aside Christian principles. Never at any period of my life have I thought that the pursuit of a soldier was in keeping with the Christian ethic. I have, however, for a while, questioned as to whether I was right in my conclusions, owing to the fact of so many of my brethren joining the army. I thought it strange that they should all be wrong, and I was led to further serious consideration of the matter, only to be more convinced
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than ever that Christianity and war are as far apart as the poles.
May I suggest one or two reasons for our objections to military service?
In the first place I submit that the call to military service to the Christian is
NOT THE CALL OF DUTY
as is often asserted. We have acknowledged Jesus as Lord. He calls us to take up the cross daily and follow Him. Unless we are prepared to sacrifice all for Him we are not worthy of Him. He is Lord of all, and therefore it is our duty so to live that in all things He may have the pre-eminence. We have frequently been told that it is our duty to fight, but if to fight is not in harmony with the teaching of Jesus, then, as Christians, it is not our duty at all. I wish to emphasise that not only is military service out of harmony with the call of Christ, but it is in defiance of it because it sets itself up as imperative; everything must be set aside for military necessity. Because it exalts and opposes itself above all that is called God it shall be revealed in its wickedness and perish. It is not military leaders alone who set militarism upon such an exalted plane, but unfortunately many who have named the name of Jesus advocate the same cult. It is not an exaggeration to say that for a period war was exalted and the Cross was thrust into the background. I quote a statement made to me in reference to a debate that was taking place on spiritual matters. The opinion was given "that it is ridiculous troubling about things like that when a great war is going on." Then Scripture study must be despised when such an important thing as war is being waged! As
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Christians, our attitude to war should be one of absolute indifference, except when we turn to it with damning epithets upon our lips. Thus shall we pay to war its rightful tribute.
It is worthy of notice here that most of the people who uphold a war deny that they are in favour of war. Their position really is that they are against war in general but in agreement with every war in particular. Brethren, if war is wrong, let us not do evil in the hope that good may come. If those who call us to war emphasise the call as being so important that every other consideration must be cast aside, that fact alone proves that for us it is not the call of duty. Christ is Lord and if militarism claims the first place it usurps the position that is Christ's. Whatever happens in the world, even if leaders of nations launch upon war and conflict, it can have nothing to do with the course which we as Christians adopt. Our course has been marked out long ago. We must follow Jesus who said, "My kingdom is not of this world; else would My servants fight!" We must follow in the train of His early disciples who said, "We must obey God rather than men," and who, for three hundred years, went to the stake rather than wield the carnal sword.
Another reason for our opposition to war is that while Christ is universal,
WAR IS DISTINCTLY NATIONAL.
Christ said to His disciples, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature ..." Paul gave utterance to this sublime truth at Antioch, when he said: "Be it known unto you that through this man (Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins and by Him all that believe are justified ..."
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John emphasised the same thought: "He is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
John Wesley, having learned that Christ died for all, looked upon the world as his parish. When America contemplated coming into the war, a minister in that country spoke thus to his congregation - and one thought how refreshing were the words amidst the rubbish that was continually being preached: "So long as I am your minister, this church will answer no military summons. Other pulpits may preach recruiting sermons; mine will not. Other parish houses may be turned into drill halls and rifle ranges; ours will not. Other clergymen will pray to God for victory for our arms; I will not. In this church, if nowhere else in America, the Germans will still be included in the family of God's children!" These words do not merely express man's opinion, but they express a fact of the gospel. It is a fact to which many have blinded their eyes during the past years. It is a fact which must be acknowledged, if we read our New Testaments. So glorious is that fact of frontiers broken down that all nations should rejoice. Nationality may mean something to some people, but it will not bring favour with God. He is no respecter of persons. His salvation is as wide as the world. His message is "Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely." How can this spirit breathe in the atmosphere of militarism?
Another reason for our opposition to war is that it is brutal, conceived in hatred, and
OPPOSED TO THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST.
Unequivocally, does Jesus announce the test of discipleship: "By this shall all men know
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that ye are My disciples; if ye have love one to another." Christian principles are violated in war. Lord Fisher expressed the war spirit truly when he said, "The essence of war is violence; moderation in war is imbecility. Hit first, hit hard, and hit anywhere." The essence of war is violence, and if I believed in war I would be ruthless, doing all the harm that I possibly could. By such brutality I should exhibit the spirit of war.
Dr. Salter revealed the realities of war when he wrote: "Look! Christ in khaki out in France thrusting his bayonet into the body of a German workman. See! the Son of God with a machine gun ambushing a column of German infantry, catching them unawares and mowing them down in their helplessness. Hark! The Man of Sorrows in a cavalry charge, cutting, hacking, thrusting, crushing, cheering. No! No! That picture is an impossible one, and we all know it."
As followers of Jesus we rejoice because He requires no such methods in the interests of His Kingdom. Wielding the "sword of the Spirit which is the word of God," we are told to put up into its sheath the sword of steel, "for they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." "Thou shalt love the Lord they God with all thy heart and with all thy mind and with all thy strength and thy neighbour as thyself." The law of the new kingdom is, "Resist not him that is evil; but whosoever smiteth thee on the right cheek turn to him the other also." "Love your enemies and pray for them that persecute you, that ye may be the sons of your Father who is in heaven, for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and the unjust. For if ye love them that
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love you, what reward have you? Do not even the publicans the same?"
We want no flag, no flaunting rag,
In liberty's cause to fight;
We want no din of murderous gun,
To battle for the right;
No widow's groans shall mar our cause,
No blood of brethren slain;
Kindness and love have won before,
And so they shall again.
Again, we oppose military service because it
REDUCES MEN TO MACHINES.
A man's individuality is obliterated. Paul Gillan, who died in Winchester gaol, in March, 1918, wrote to the Home Office six months before his decease thus: "To submit to military discipline means to me the negation of all that is noble, all that is loving, all that is pure and kind; the negation of all that is divine; in short, the negation of all that constitutes a man." Christ calls us to follow Him, to take upon us His yoke. No coercion is used: the choice is ours. "Let us stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free."
Further, we oppose military service because it
ENCOURAGES CASTE,
and distinctions made by men are foreign to the spirit of Christ. Where do we see a greater display of caste than in the military system? The lack of friendliness between rank and rank, inherent in the system, has no support from the Church of Christ, but rather condemnation. All are one in Christ Jesus. "There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
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In conclusion, may I suggest that we oppose military service because the policy of militarists is
FRANKLY DESTRUCTIVE.
This seems a paradox to many. Fighting to annihilate their enemies they hope for peace but instead they bequeath a legacy of hatred and unrest. Others love their enemies and dwell in safety. When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. In the light of scripture, in the light of history, we see that not the force of arms but the power of righteousness exalteth a nation.
Brethren, if we have disowned the Lord, let us with sincere repentance seek the throne of grace. If we have walked in the law of the Lord, let us still stand in the "old paths." If we differ on certain matters, let us diligently search for the will of God, and, having found it, let us ask for strength to put it into practice. Let us strive to edify one another in love. So shall the world stand in awe of a living Church and
No longer hosts encountering hosts
Shall crowds of slain deplore,
They'll hang the trumpet in the hall,
And study war no more.
The writer earnestly desires to express his love for those who, though differing, were always considerate. Also be desires to convey his deep sympathy to those who have been saddened and prays that the God of all comfort will bless them. His admiration for those who, against intense opposition, have stood for the testimony of Jesus is no less sincere. "Great is your reward in heaven."
Old friend, I greet you! You are still the same:
You poisoned Socrates, you crucified
Christ; you have persecuted, mocked, denied,
Rejected God and cursed Him - in God's name.
You gave monotonously to the flame
All those (whom now you honour) when the new
Truth stung their lips - for fear it might be true:
Then reaped where they had sown and felt no shame.
LADY MARGARET SACKVILLE.