War!',
Back to THOUGHTS FOR THE QUIET HOUR
Happy the nations who are exempt from "the grievousness of
war"—its inherent cruelty, its often demon selfishness; who
are delivered from the tyranny of those who make the crouching
nations a perch for their ambition—dragging the innocent from
their ploughs and vineyards, their peaceful employments of life,
their intellectual avocations, their homes of affection, in order
to reap a misnamed "glory" they seldom or never share, set in
deadly array against those towards whom they feel no hostility.
Never is responsibility greater than that of rulers who, in
wanton recklessness, nurture the war-spirit. "The roll of
conquering drum" is no music in the ears of the widow and
the orphan. Well may the cry ascend to heaven to exorcize
the foul fiend—the direst curse that can visit a country or
afflict humanity.
"Give peace in our time, O Lord!" The day will surely come
when, with sheathed sword and reversed spear, the prayer
will no longer be heard, because no longer needed, "Scatter
the nations who delight in war!" Psalm 68:30