The Reformed Presbyterian Standard and also 0\ir ... - Rparchives.org

Novemher 4, 1914.
A FAMILY PAPER
E D I T O R I A L
John W. Pritchard, Editor.
Eeform organizations are multiplying. Few
recognize, the need of specializing to do effective
work, and those which have a high and
noble work reach out to embrace kindred organizations,
as if each new feature will revive
and increase the interest.
Eev. Albert Sidney Gregg, superintendent
of the American Civic Eeform Union, Cleveland,
Ohio, announces that the work of the
Eeform Union will be extended by the appointment
of a county superintendent and precinct
captains in each county of the United States.
The county officer will enroll active members
as an aid in promoting legislation, law enforcement
and civic education. Such an organization
will be of great value in concentrating
moral sentiment on Congress- and State
legislatures, and on public officials in opposition
to white slavery, gambling, cigarettes, intemperance
and other evils. Applications for
appointment as county superintendent should
be sent directly to Mr. Gregg, who will furnish
particulars on request. Both men and
womto are eligible as superintendents and
captains.
Por many years efforts have been made to
train the boys for warfare. The schools were the only organized protest against the present
invaded by the advocates of preparation for war in Europe came from them. When war
war. The churches went through the temptation
was threatened, it is reported that thirty Soeral
of the Boys' Brigades. Then came Gencialist
demonstrations were held in Berlin si­
Baden-Powell, a British officer, whose multaneously to protest against war. Seventeen
name became known in the Boer War. Ho
meetings were appointed for the day af­
was more successful in organizing the Boy ter the declaration of war and a great meeting
Scouts in several countries. Though a minister's
was called for the neighborhood of the royal
son, he had no religious element in his palace. The police were ordered to suppress
plan. The late Professor E. J. George has these meetings, and used their clubs with right
this in the second volume of his lectures on
Pastoral Theology, discerning the military aim
of these organizations:
"Much was formerly made of the Boys' Brigade,
an organization for boys, largely wind
and water, with absolutely nothing to commend
it. The Boy Scout movement is of the
same type, but has the graace to keep itself
good will on the protestants. On the other
dear of the Church. Such organizations are
condemned by one and the same test: They
are out of harmony with the spirit and aim of
him who is the Prince of Peace." (Vol. IL,
page 148.) To this we may well add the following
from "With the German Army, Tho
Mechanism of War":
"With the Army of Occupation are large
numbers of German boy scouts, aged from 15
to 17 years; they are all mounted on bicycles.
and there are to every infantry regiment at
least 10 bic.ycle scouts, and to every brigade
motor-cyclists as well, many possessing English
and American motor-cycles."—The London
Times, October 2, 1914.
A greater victory for State-wide prohibition
than its friends dreamed of, was won last week.
when Virginia went dry by a vote of 32,825.
That the outlying connties would go for prohibition
both sides expected, but neither was
prepared for such a slump in the cities. Eichmond,
Alexandria, Norfolk, and Williamsburg
went "wet," but even these w^ere by majorities
far below the estimate of the Self-Government
League. Staunton, Eoanoke, Lynchburg, Petersburg,
PijedericksbuTg, Portsmouth, Newport
News, Bristol, and other smaller towns,
most of which had been relied upon to add
to the "wet" vote, turned up in the "dry" column.
Even in Eichmond, where prohibition
was not believed to have a large following, the
"drys" made a much better showing, than they
themselves anticipated. There were 10,393
votes polled, and the "wet" majority was 2,185.
About the only city that did better than the
"wets" expected was Norfolk, which they carried
by 521. The total vote casfwas 121,763,
divided as follows: Dry, 77,453; wet, 44,310.
With the possible exception of the Third District,
every Congressional District has gone
for prohibition. Virginia thus joins her neighbors.
West Virginia, North and South Carolina,
Tennessee and Georgia, in the prohibition
column.—The Presbyterian, Sept. 30.
SOCIALISM AND CHEISTIANITY.
Socialism is considered by many as the antipodes
of Christianity, and yet it seems to
be true, as Socialists in Germany claim, that
hand, there is no indication that the churches
in Germany made any attempt to prevent a
declaration of war. A circular signed liy Harnack
and many other prominent churchmen
and addressed to England, reads as if it might
have been dictated by devotees of militarism.
One would have little indication from it that
it had been prepared by professed Christians,
as far as the sentiments are concerned. These
facts have led men to question whether this
war does not mean a collapse of Christianity.
Eatlier might it be called a collapse of rationalism,
for this is the creed of Germany. There
are a few members of the Inner Mission in
most German cities, who have meetings for
prayer and evangelist(ic preaching, but the
great body of church members have little appreciation
of piety. Militarism controls the
church and the schools and the press, much as
it controls the army corps. William has mobilized
the professors of the Universities and the
pastors of the congregations much the same as
the Prussian Guards. As far as is kno\\Ti the
only voice which is lifted against aggressive
war in Germany is that of Socialism. As far
as is known the only hope that Germany may
cease to be the terror of her neighbors is through
the triumph of Socialism. It may be a forlorn
hope, but it seems to be the only hope.
Eationalism has done its work. German Christianity
is bankrupt. The Christianity of
Germany has met its test and has failed. In
all probability the nomimal Christianity of
this country would collapse under like conditions.
To what source shall we look for peace
Shall we look to Socialism, or to the resurrection
of vital Christianity Socialism is not
attractive, but as compared with a rationalistic
Christianity with its present fruitage in Europe
one might be inclined to take Socialism. Never
in this country did Christianity shout loud»
in conventions; seldom has it whisperel moie
on great religious questions. Genuine Christianity
is the hope of the world. A sham Ciir.^
tianity is hopeless.
THE ULSTEE PEOBLEM.—L
Eome's Perfidy.
By E. Holmes, Ballymoney, Ireland
During the last few months I have receir
ed a number of requests from the Land beyond
the Western Main to write something on the
Ulster Question for publication in the "Christian
Nation." If I can do anything to gratify
the wishes of those whose hospitality I enjoyed
so recently, I am anxious to do so,
but the Ulster Question has lately developed
to such gigantic; dimensions that one naturally
shrinks from tackling the monster; and
then, when one overcomes the initial difficulties
of securing a point from which to start,
other difficulties rise mountain high.
Every
aspect of it bristles with intricacies, and around
its vast circumference there are a thousand
issues of bewildering moment.
We
might first of all endeavor to clear
the air. Most of you are aware that the Irish
Nationalist party has been carrying on a
vigorous propaganda, both in the United States
and in Australia, true to the worst traditions
of "Holy Mother Church." These oily
tongued orators have systematically maligned
Biitain simply because it is Protestant; they
have grossly misrepresented and slandered the
citizens of Belfast; they have told lies by
the hundred thousand to the great audiences
which thronged to hear them. It is not
wonderful that after a campaign conducted
in this manner for decades by unscrupuloui
politicians the very atmosphere should become
fiutrid.
As soon as the Liberal Government surreudered
to the Papists the Irish and Eadical
members of Ireland have exhibited even a
greater propensity for vilifying Protestant
Ulster and circulating the most absurd false
hoods.
From some of the articles which I have seen