1-13-418 Mauley 0 Hardeer PREFACE This book is meant to aid the fair-minded student in his study of the problems involved in war. But war will serve only as an illustration-tangible and vividof much that lies deeper. By seeking out the elemental factors involved in the use of force, whether they manifest themselves in international, civic, or social relations, or in personal conduct, and by comparing them with the principles of Jesus, we shall ever be discovering new and far-reaching applications of these principles, and thus new demonstrations of their validity and power. The illuminating article which Professor James wrote a few years ago on "The Moral Equivalent of War" will be recognized as the source of our title, which, it is scarcely necessary to say, is in no way intended to imply that Christianity offers any possible equivalent for what is evil in war. But if there is a moral equivalent for all that is good in war, why may there not be a still more perfect Christian equivalent which will include the moral value in a greater spiritual good? Is there in the teachings and spirit of Jesus any suggestion of an equivalent which will produce in nations and races, as well as in individuals, those virile and forceful qualities of character which war seems often to have brought to fruition? The underlying thoughts of Jesus have long been fermenting; in these latter days they refuse to be contained within the wine-skins of commonly accepted international 651804. |