Consistency - A Jewel
In the January, February, March issue of B. D. Morehead's "World Vision," a sizeable advertisement, prominently displayed, gives emphasis to the title of a booklet which is in the form of the question "Can a Christian Kill for His Government?" Then, before the reader can purchase the booklet and read the argument presented, he is given the answer in the advertisement itself. "The answer is no!" says the advertisement.
Now, waiving the question and not pausing to discuss the issue, but simply considering the consistency of the paper, we read again in another advertisement: "Buy defense bonds with the dollars I save you on fire insurance." etc., etc. So, Morehead will sell the advertisements that sell defense bonds, (maybe he and others want to be defended), that furnish the men and guns to "kill for his government," and, thus make money on both sides of the proposition! Then to cap the climax, Morehead writes some notes for his paper, and he goes all out in trying to persuade the churches to buy his tracts and send them to the soldiers. He succeeded too. One "small, rural church bought $85.00 worth at $25.00 down and $5.00 a month. "It was then arranged to send 1,000 tracts to each of the five army chaplains, members of the church, at the expense of the church." Now, why send tracts to "chaplains," members of the church," who are aiding and abetting those "who kill for the government"? Especially, since they contend 'that no Christian can kill for his government ("the answer is no!") And if the rest were converted, no one would fight to defend Barney and the "other leading preachers" who recommended the booklet, "Can a Christian Kill for His Government?" and who, declare "the answer is, no."
Then, no one could sell "defense bonds" so, no one would advertise them, and Barney could not make any money at least, not on advertising. Better be careful, Barney, you may "kill" your business, and that would be bad, for your one man missionary society is on its way out; that is, unless some brethren are still blind after reading the Don Carlos Janes Will.