THE APPROACHING STORM.
July’s sun sank gently away on the western horizon, and its last rays
lit up the ripening fruit, the plants and flowers in the garden. It
seemed to linger for a last farewell to the groups of merry children
who, unconscious of their fast-approaching woe, were cheerfully singing
Belgium’s well-known national song, “The Proud Flemish Lion.”
In a few moments the “Golden Gate” closed on a field of purple haze,
shutting out that blessed glimpse of heaven, while the black shroud of
the most dismal night in history darkened the sky of that hapless
nation.
The Sisters were together in the evening recreation of that fateful day,
when word was received that King Albert of Belgium, in order to fulfill
his obligations of neutrality, had refused the Kaiser’s army access to
his territory to attack the French. Had a thunderbolt fallen from a
clear sky, or an earthquake shaken the ground under foot, it would
scarcely have surprised or terrorized the people more than did the
Kaiser’s declaration of war against this free and happy little kingdom.
When hostilities broke out between Austria and Servia, while realizing
the possibility of trouble in the country in case of a general war, we
were assured that Belgium, being a neutral nation and having no other
desire than that of possessing her own soil, and living in peace with
all nations, had nothing to fear from war or invasion.
Feeble human insight into the designs of Providence, whose hand has the
power to destroy and rebuild, to crown or dethrone kings and kaisers,
and seal the fate of nations.
It is not our object to discuss the causes of the present European war
from a material point of view, nor do we intend to pass judgment upon
the nations or individuals engaged in it; nevertheless, viewing the
present condition of affairs in Europe from another standpoint, and
drawing conclusions from observation and personal experience, we must
admit that a spiritual warfare had been raging there for several years.
Certainly, God, who is the source of peace, virtue and every good,
should have been permitted to hold sovereign sway in His own kingdom;
that is, in the hearts of His children and in the homesteads of His
people. This right was disregarded in a most ruthless manner for many
years, as is evident from the fact that the word “_God_” and everything
pertaining to God, was expunged from the text-books in some places in
Europe, while it would have been a serious offense for a teacher to
mention His sacred name or anything in connection therewith in the
classroom.
The spirit of atheism and agnosticism contended against the Spirit of
Religion, and as a scourging wind was fast sweeping over the land,
leaving by the wayside thousands of incautious souls bereft of all
ennobling possessions of mind and heart.
The vices and vanities of pagan Rome were reviving before our very eyes
in about the same manner as they had been prevalent over twenty hundred
years ago; and, although idolatrous shrines were not found in the
homesteads, they could easily be found in the hearts of many people.
Modern life in Europe, especially in the large cities, had to a certain
degree, lost its high ideal of perfection, as did the world in the time
of Noah; and, consequently, it does not seem indiscreet to intimate that
the same Supremacy which chastised the world in the great flood, has,
for the same reason, reappeared and become manifest in the deluge of
blood which now inundates the soil of those unhappy nations.
Civilization, wealth, industry and intellect developed in times of peace
and prosperity, so as to reach apparently the limit of effort, have
exhausted their entire resources up to this time to construct means
suitable for destroying themselves.
Now the question has been asked, “Why could not Christianity, after a
period of about twenty hundred years on earth, have prevented this cruel
war and saved the honor of civilization?” The answer is not difficult to
find. Christianity could and would have saved humanity from this
dreadful misfortune had it not been for the fact that her power had been
checked, her authority limited, her work hindered and her ranks weakened
by those heavy storms which, though unable to uproot the Divine
Institution, have impeded her progress and lessened her influence over
the human race.
When the happy day dawns in which the true spirit of Christianity, free
and unfettered, will animate civilization as the soul animates the body,
then, and not till then, will its powerful influence be able to dispel
the shades of darkness in the minds of men, and in the palaces of kings
and kaisers. Then will war cease and the reign of peace and happiness
begin.
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