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Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 62, 13 March 1915, Page 14

FOB WAR OR PEACE ? IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS. THE SOLUTION OF OUB PERPLEXITIES. Ifovember 22nd.—Pastor Russell, of the London Tabernacle, had for his text today the words, "In even-thing give thanks" (L Thess v. 18). Reviewing briefly the condition of the world, the speaker declared that it must difficult ijr the majority of people to "determine correctly the nature of the thanks they would offer to God. Three hundred and "fifty millions of humanity, our blood relatives, are at war, seeking to destroy each other. Ninety million "Americans, deeply interested in them, are invited by the Honourable President and "Governors of the several States to render thanks to the Almighty, Surely no one of even average heart and hand-hais cause for other than great thankfulness to our Creator. Life itself "is a blessing, a boon.' "Our lines have faHen to us in pleasant places." Those who feel-no-gratitude are surely soured by discontent, the fruit of ignorance, .selfishness, sin. How appropriate, then, that each and all bow heart and head before the Giver of every good and perfect gift! To whatever extent this course be followed heartily, without hypocrisy, undoubtedly a blessing will result, individually and -nationally. The custom is a beautiful one. _There is a difference between thanksgiving and prayer. "None have the right or privilege of approaching the Throne of Heavenly Grace except those who have -eome-into covenant relationship with God. The Jems came into covenant " relationship with God in their Law Covenant by the Divine arrangement through 'Moses.*"" The fdHowere of Jesus, who accept the Divine arrangement, are privileged thus to come into relationship with the Creator through him. He is our Advocate, who has opened up for us a *ew a*d living way through the sacrifice frf ha flesh. All whom the Father has *ccepted through him—all whom the Father has begotten of His Holy Spirit "" —are Scripturally" termed sons of God, "efiadren of God, heirs of God, joint-heire with Jesus Christ their Lord (I. John iii. 1; RoM.viiL 17). .These are invited to come to their Father and to address Him thus: "Our Father, who art in Heaven," and to ask for the blessings which God has provided for Has children, according to His Divine purposes and arrangements. None others are permitted to come to this Throne of Grace, because not in covenant relationship with the Saviour, because in God's arrangement "There is none other name -given.. under Heaven or amongst men whgreby we.grust be saved" from our ,«ns, or he-brought into relationship with our Eathw. Thhsjve see.that only a limited numlier may enjoy the.privileges of prayer or expect.answers to their prayers. But, thank God, others may worship and bow down! "Come, let us worship and bow down; let na kneel before the Lord our Maker." Many have this privilege, and the exercise of it is sure to bring a blessing. GIVING THANKS FOR WAR. Very evidently the majority of man kind have an insufficiency of .knowledge of Uod, of the Bible, and of the Divine plan therein set forth, to thank God foj the present state of war. But to the Church, whose eyes of understanding have been opened and who are able tc see the lengths, the breadths, the heights and the depths of God's love in the message of-the -Bible, St. Paul writes: "In everything give thanks." Ripe Christians have learnt to give thanks to God for the adversities of life in their own experiences, convinced that jtmder God's supervision the most dire - calamities may be overruled for good to His peopie and for glory to His name. Rut only the advanced, the developed •Christian is able to give thanks under of severe trials and test--.lngs. Only, those whq.-have great faith, built upon clearknowledge of the Divine promise,-can- realise thoroughly-that all .are- working together for their good. Similarly, in respect to the great European war now. in progress, its casualties, desolations, and deaths, only the wellinstructed of God's people may under- . stand the. Divine plans-and arrangements .so thoroughly as to be able to give thanks in respect to the war—and able -to esercise confident faith that the out...come.of it will mean .blessings of instrucfox future blessings. - _-ffi :£&e jSeripfcures .did -not." foretell this -•t'mae : oi .-world-'wide .-"distress- of nations," - we -might not .know that God had fore- ■ seen it-.and. had-made provision for its _«gults_be£Qre'_ remitting it. But the Bible that foretells about the war also tells of-its results, saying, "When the judgments of the Lord are in the - earth, the inhabitants of the world will .learn,.righteousness" Xlsa.. xxvi. 9). If, .then,, the/war is teaching the world lesspns;.alojig the lines of righteousness and justice, it-will-be-doing-permanent good. Moreover, the same Bible tells us that the "war-'3s "merely" the outgrowth of human selfishness, ignorance, supersti- ; jtion, and- false doctrine, and assures us ':that although it will lead on to revolu- - "tion,- anarchy, and the utter wreck of the present order of things—the present civilisation—nevertheless God is prepared for the. emergency. EXTREMITY—GOD'S OPPORTUNITY. The "hoiir having come for Messiah to "take 'the reiiis or government, he will * stand forth in power and majesty at the -proper-moment, and exclaim to the paging elements of the restless human "Peace!" Be still!"—and there will be a great calm. Those who see the war from this '"viewpoint may indeed in everything give thanks, rejoicing that the reign of Sin -and Death will soon be ended! rejoicing that Satan will soon be bound for a thousand years! rejoicing that God's Kingdom will soon come, and His will be done on earth, even as in Heaven! rejoicing that soon the knowledge of the true character of God will be universal! rejoicing that then, in the light of that * knowledge, "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess,--to the glory of God"! rejoicing still-further that any * who, under all those" favourable conditions will refuse to make a full surrender to the Lord will be mercifully cut off from life in the Second Death! Let us not overlook the fact that our text indicates that we are to give thanks for our sorrows, oar trials, our disappointments, as well as for our joys and our pleasures; for everything includes all things. Nor is this the only Scripture to that effect. Hearken to the Apostle's words which urge the Church, - -the members of the Body of Christ, to -rejoice .in tribulation," not because tribulation is "a" bat because, aa be explains; tribulation works out additional patience, Patience brings iddi-«n-u- experience, «_ Urge-^eriena