The grievousness of war.
"For before the swords have they fled, before the drawn sword, and before the bent bow, and before the pressure of war." The figures imply that the people are conquered, their camp or city taken, and they pursued and cut down by a relentless, blood-thirsty enemy. As this subject is a familiar one, and illustrations lie ready to hand, only divisions need be given. The grievousness of war may be shown.
I. IN THE SACRIFICES IT DEMANDS.
II. IN THE LIVES IT DESTROYS.
III. IN THE TREASURE IT WASTES. The Franco-German War of 1870 cost France £371, 000, 000, and Germany at least £47, 000, 000. The American Civil War cost £330, 000, 000. The Crimean War cost England £167, 000, 000.
IV. IN THE PASSIONS IT ENGENDERS,
V. IN THE NATIONAL ALIENATIONS IT LEAVES BEHIND,
VI. IN THE SUFFERINGS IT ENTAILS. In the Franco-German War, one hundred and thirty thousand soldiers died on the battle-fields or in the hospitals, and thousands more lost limbs and health. What a wail of sorrow from thousands of homes and hearts such facts bring to our ears!
VII. IN THE RESULTS IT SECURES. Which are usually most insignificant when compared with the expenditure and loss. Talk of the glory of war! The Bible reminds us how much wiser and how much truer it is to talk of its grievousness.—R.T.