CHRISTIANITY AND WAR 155 



that the Christian ideal of universal peace is not the 

 mere absence of War, It is the full and practical 

 recognition of the Universal Fatherhood of God and the 

 Universal Brotherhood of Man, It is the full and 

 practical application of the Spirit of Christ's Sermon on 

 the Mount to all our relationships in life, not excepting 

 our foreign relationships. 



To me an armed peace seems little, if at all, less 

 immoral than a condition of actual warfare. The dogs 

 of war are as little in harmony with the Spirit of Christ's 

 life and teaching when they are chained as when they are 

 let loose, and morally, there is but Httle to choose between 

 England spending her millions in preparation for war, 

 and England spilling her life-blood on the battlefield. 



Look at the so-called *' Christian '* nations of Europe 

 to-day. Where comes in the Universal Fatherhood of 

 God ? Where comes in the Universal Brotherhood of 

 Man ? Where comes in Christ's Sermon on the 

 Mount ? If these things did come in. War would be 

 seen to be as foolish as it is wicked. Rivalry amongst 

 nations would be a rivalry of moral qualities, and 

 patriotism would mean no longer a greed of territory 

 or a lust of gold. Rather would it mean a desire to 

 see one's country standing in the forefront of all 

 the countries in the world, for honour, truth and 

 righteousness. 



The Jingo has no monopoly of patriotism. All who 

 serve their country with these noble aims in view are 

 patriotic, even though they recognise the fact that other 

 nations, besides their own, have their rights ; and as 

 for their own : 



Best they honour thee, 



Who honour in thee only what is best. 



And this Christian ideal of Universal Peace can be 

 attained in one way, and in one way only, and that is by 

 Christians being loyal to Christ, And if thus loyal to 



