THE DREADFUL WAR AND THE CHURCH

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 December 1915, Page 3

THE DREADFUL WAR AND THE CHURCH

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR, —The millions are still asking " Where the God of love is, and why he does not end this dreadful war ?" These questions were asked ages ago, and God answered them %,ni recorded them for our instruction : 1 Cor., 1, 11; 2 Tim., 3, 16. King David asked —" Why standeth Thou afar off, O Lord? and why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble ?" (Psalm 10, 1). God gave him, and us, the following reply: " Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save ; neither is His ear heavy that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear." (Is., 5 9 1, £). People wonder why there is no answer to the countless prayer's. It is because the following Scriptures are ap]j plicable to us :—

" He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination." (Prov., 28, 9, r.v.) "Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer, they shall seek Me diligently but they shall not find Me." (Prov. 1, 28). " Because I have called and ye refused ; I have stretched out My hand and no man regarded." (Prov. 1, 24). " And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say." (Luke 6, 46).

Is it not true that we have neglected to read'the Book of Books? That the Churches are ■ nearly empty, and God's. Holy Sabbath sbamefully desecrated ?

"' Because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, broken the everlasting covenant, therefore the curse hath devoured £he earth." (Is. 24, 5, 6).

What is the remedy for this state of affairs? God tells us in Malachi 3, 7. — "Return unto Me, and I will return to you, saith the Lord of Hosts." Also in Isiah 55, 7, we read—" Let the wicked forsake his way, and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, .... for he will abundantly pardon." Again in Micah 7, 18—"He retaineth not 'His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy."

The Lord's answers are reasonable and just. God gives the power into our hands to manage things according to our own liking. Can any of your readers make any objection ?—I am, etc.,

George Johnson, Parkhurst, Nov. 11, 1915.