Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1915 — BATTLES OF LIFE [ARTICLE]

BATTLES OF LIFE

Struggles for the Right That Def mand Highest Character and Courage. Louis Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot, speaking of the social revolution which he believed was impending, said; ‘lf the doctrines of Christianity could be applied to human society, I believe that the social problem could be got at.” There is no doubt that ho was right. The early disciples were accused of preaching a doctrine which was “turning the world upside down. Wherever Christianity has been fearlessly and consistently applied, it has resulted in a revolution. Preachers and laymen have sometimes made the mistake of supposing, that the direct and immediate outcome of Christianity must always be peace. But Jesus also said: “I came not to bring peace, but a sword."/ There’s a lot of fighting to he done — in the name of Christianity. Sometimes peace ia more quickly secured through a straight-out fight than through a quiet and unresisting acceptance of evil. And there is evil in 1 the world, some very eminent and cultured people to the contrary notwithstanding. \ It Christianit&r is the red-blooded thing that we say it is, then thosewho profess .to accept its philosophy and doctrine will stand up to meet 1 the situation by which it Is con--fronted. War is always to be deplored, but sometimes war is necessary. It is inconceivable that a real man willstand mildly by and see his childrenslaughtered, even though he 1b certain that he will be defeated in the struggle. Wars are bound to come, but there’s a “woe” for those "through whom these offenses come.” World's Real Battles. But we are not discussing, just now., wars between nations. There are other occasions that require red-: bloodedness and courage, and they; are worthier of human sacrifice than: are most of the wars between the races of men. The advocates of war defend their: position by saying that if all strife between nations were to cease it would result in a weak, cowardly people. They insist that the hardship® of war and the fighting develop strong men of courage and character. But such slaughter of our fellowmen alsodevelops the coarsest and most brutalinstincts. There are other battles to be fought which develop finer character 1 and more courage than can possibly be the result of the wanton slaughter of men, women and children. These battles have to do with the giving ot life, rather than death. The fighting of these battles de- 1 mands a cleancut manhood and worn-: anhood, a bravery which 1b rarely found on the battlefield of slaughter.' The soldier who goes to war ia cheered by excited crowds, and when he returns he receives an ovation that stirs the blood. And this is well. I would not detract for a single moment from the honor accorded the man who is ready to give his life for his country, whether his country ia right or wrong. But here is a man who is fighting for the lives of little children in industrial life, for sanitary conditions in factory and tenement, for clean government in our municipalities. What is his reward. Usually' sneers and sarcasm, often defamation of character, always bitterness and persecution. Where True Courage Is Required. It requires more real grit to stand up under such a fire, year after year, than it does to face the bullets of tha opposing army. There Isn't much cheering on such a job. Often it means social ostracism. Soon you will become known as a “crank.” Those who formerly were your friendß will: turn to you a cold shoulder. Thera 1 will be a temptation on your part to become bitter Jn turn. Here is the social worker’s peril. He may unintentionally turn away many who might otherwise be retained as friends. It Is in such a battle that one needs all the grace that comes through tha possession of the spirit of Jesus. When he was reviled, he reviled not again. He fought his enemies In a straightforward fashion, but never with bitterness. He sometimes used force, as when he drove the moneychangers from the temple, these men who were making of the temple “a den of thieves;’’ but Jesus, even when highly indignant, was never bitter. He won through courage. He attracted through personality. Hia slogan was life more abundant. He so thoroughly believed ty his great task that he was Teady to surrender his life to accomplish it All this was not easy. It is likely that the agony in the garden of Gethsemane when he •weal great drops of Mood was harder to bear than the spear-thrust and the driven nails. And every worker for the people hw his garden of Gethsemane—the hours that he spends alone, fighting for hla very life. These are the times that try the soul more severely than the final crucifixion.