ful co-existence.” To some extent, free world leaders are experimenting with this theory. Since the future earthly destiny of millions depends upon the validity or falsity of this concept, it deserves critical exami nation. Review the opinions and materialistic musings of men. Go farther and ask, “ What does God’s Word have to say about this 20th Century ideology?” The term, “ Peaceful Co-Existence” is of Com munist origin and is a necessary part of the Com munist program for world conquest. As early as 1920, Joseph Stalin wrote: “ Soviet Russia is performing an experiment without parallel anywhere in the world in organizing the co-existence of a number of na tions and tribes within a single proletarian state on a basis of mutual confidence and voluntary and fra ternal good-will. Three years of revolution show that this experiment has every chance of success” (From “ Marxism and the National Question” P. 85). We cannot but ask, “ Were those in the Christmas story, just related, allowed a peaceful co-existence?” Karl Marx wrote: “ The democratic concept of man is false because it is Christian. It holds that each man has value as a sovereign being. This is the illusion, dream and postulate of Christianity. Chris tian brotherly love has been tried for eighteen cen turies and found wanting. I will found my movement on a more dynamic force, class antagonism.” Lenin's words were: “ Down with religion! Long live atheism! The spread of atheistic views is our chief task!” We admit there is much that is called religion which is wrong, but it is dangerous and unforgive- able to blaspheme the Holy Spirit of God. In brief, that is the system with which we are asked to peace fully co-exist. Over against the facts just stated, E. Gordon Fox, the American engineer who wrote the Christmas-in-Russia story, points out the views we cherish: “ Economic, intellectual, religious, and political freedom are indivisible and inseparable.” He warns, “ The attempt to foist Communism or Socialism upon America by Trojan horse methods, (even by religious leaders) is dishonest, dishonorable, and incompati ble with the precepts of the Bible. The rightful role of the true religion is the salvation of and the inspira tion of individuals to noble, purposeful living. Civili- THE KING’S BUSINESS
t is Christmas Eve. Picture a dingy room, crowded with fine, but decrepit furniture, some arranged to screen off sec tions as sleeping quarters. The window curtains have been drawn against outside observation. The elderly mother carries the marks of the aristocrat. Her hus band is well-grayed, and erect. The middle-aged daughter, a widow, is of pleasing appearance. Two children complete the family circle. But pictures of others who are absent seem to lend their fancied presence. A son, an army officer, was killed in the war; another son was exiled to Siberia; another daughter, mother of the two youngsters, escaped during the revolution. This is a family of the intelligentsia, whose stand ing in the community was comparable to our own. A small table, in an open area of the room, is set for a simple repast. In the center of the table is a small Christmas tree with a few simple decorations. The tree has been smuggled in, wrapped in the over coat of a visiting American engineer, for Christmas trees are forbidden. Simple, useful gifts have been given to the youngsters, and received with enthusiasm and joy. We stand behind our places at the table, the candles flickering in our faces. Well this family knows they are slated to be purged in the months to come. This is their last Christmas. The daughter, black listed, has secured a position at the Norwegian Con sulate, enabling her to support the family. The father earns a few rubles by private teaching, but his politi cal standing, already bad, is made worse by the fact that he persists in serving as a vestryman at the struggling Lutheran church. So it is with dark forebodings that we pause in the silence, as we stand with bowed heads while the old gentleman, hesitating with emotion, speaks a few words of grace. A music box, salvaged from by-gone days, starts softly to tinkle the strains of “ Silent Night, Holy Night." We all grasp hands. Chins quiver and tears roll down unwiped cheeks. The blow soon fell. That family was deported to the north, as slaves, to crudely dig a canal— to dig and to die. Their crime? They were not of the Pro letariat. And they were loyal to their Christian faith. A key term in world diplomacy has been “ peace- 26
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