The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1918 GERMANY AND THE DIVINE WILL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 358, 8 March 1918, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1918 GERMANY AND THE DIVINE WILL.

"We nothing extenuate, nor tet down auaht in malice."

It has been truthfully said that to the average BrUon the German Emperor's frequent appeals to the Deity are suggestive of a hollow mockery, if not of outright blasphemy. The German papers on Christmas morning published one of the Kaiser's typical speeches to his troops, in the course of which he said: "The year 1917, with its great battles, has proved that the German people has in the Lord of Creation above an unconditional and avowed ally on whom it can absolutely rely. Without him all would have been in vain." More recently, in a speech at Hamburg, he is reported.to have said that " the violent powers of Heaven must assist us," and other similarly outrageous references to the Almighty were contained in the same utterance. As one writer puts it, this claim that the German armies have been specially chosen by the Creator to carry out His will is so ironical as to give rise to something approaching mirth in the mind of the unbiassed observer of the progress of the world-war. It seems almost incredible that the modern Attila should be able to attempt to persuade his people that they are the instrument of a Divine will. That the violators of Belgium, the murderers; of unarmed citizens, the representatives of modern piracy, the perpetrators of poisoned gas and (lame attacks, and the destroyers of peaceful villages, of unfortified towns, of religious and historic monuments, could be regarded as the elect of a fiol of Love, seems too ludicrous to appeal seriously even to the vanity of the Teuton. The fact that the German Km- i peror's ridiculous remarks are

accepted in all seriousness by his subjects, however, shows the vast difference between the British and German types of intellect, and brings home to us the logic of the remarks published in the " New York Times" over 18 months ago, on the occasion of a previous claim by the German Emperor to Divine appointment. "The crushing of Germany by the Allies," says the writer, "means the destruction of a vain, shameful belief obsessing the Germans, that they are fulfilling their destiny under Divine will—a belief that knows no compassion, discards treaty obligations, that would trample the rights of their neighbours in an effort to extend a power which is repugnant to the rest of humanity. The Kaiser's delusion affects all Germany, and must be dispelled." This expression of American opinion reminds us of a familiar story told of Abraham Lincoln. The story runs to the effect that a delegation of clergymen once called on Lincoln, one of whom said : ,l I hope, Mr president, that the Lord is on our side," to which Lincoln replied : '* That does not concern me. What concerns me is that we should be on the Lord's side." The difference between the Kaiser and Abraham Lincoln is the difference between true and false religion, tme and false faith. The difference is eloquently emphasised by Layman Abbott in the "Outlook" : "False religion is the religion of self-will. False faith has its own plans formed, and claims God as a silent partner lending the capital of His almighty power to enable self-will to carrj' out its plans. True religion is the religion of consecration. True faith believes that God has plans, and prays the Psalmist's prayer, "Show me Thy paths, 0 Lord," and devotes itself to discovering God's paths and working with God to accomplish them. The Kaiser's faith wants God for his ally. Lincoln's faith wants to be the ally of God."