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THE KING’S BUSINESS USi t0Jiak,e f trUe PersPective of the War, and it would undoubtedly furnish valuable help to our gallant sailors and soldiers at the front, as well as lighten the heavy burden of responsibility now carried by the various authorities at home and abroad. Admiral Sir David Beatty, the man to whose bravery and strategy the victory of the English fleet in the North Sea battle,- the only great naval battle of the present war, is due, recently said: “England still remains to be taken out of the stupor of self-satisfaction and complacency into which her great and flourishing condition has steeped her, and until she can be stirred m i m an<3 until religious revival takes place at home, just so long will the War continue. When she can look out on the future with humble eyes and a prayer on her lips, then we can begin to count the days toward the end.” It is evident that this truly great Admiral entertains a different view about religious revivals ’ from that entertained by our own untried and unproven General. ' . | ff f° f*e hoped that the Baptists will press this matter to a conclusive issue. The probability is they will, as Dr. Gambrell says: “The men in the Army of Baptist connection and of the evangelical connection generally have just as much right to hear the gospel preached as they believe it as the Jews and the Catholics have to exercise their religion. There are a good many millions of Baptists in the United States, and they will be a unit on this question. They are on their old battle ground, and they will be joined by evangelicals who believe in freedom in religion for everybody alike. Congress will be asked, to make a thorough examination of religious affairs in the army, including chaplaincies everywhere in the pay of the government. Those in charge of this matter understand the serious nature of the undertaking. They also under stand the vital importance of it, and will not rest until religion is free in the army to all alike.” But the Baptists are not standing alone in this matter. Bishop Candler, one of the most influential Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church South is quoted as saying: “Could anything be more ridiculous and reprehensible than this performance of the little General from Kansas? By military orders he proposes to determine that preaching to the soldiers concerning their lost condition is not proper.’r In one of the leading papers of the Protestant Episcopal Church, The Churchman, issue is also taken with General Funston’s reported action. It says: “It is perfectly certain that the position of protest taken by The Watchman-Examiner against attempts of military authority to determine the religious practices of the men under their charge will meet with the sympathy of all American communions. Freedom of religion is equally dear to all, and sooner or later General Funstort’s attitude in this case must be brought up for official review.”
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