at the same time "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the

Church of God".

The apostle gives a further statement in explanation in verse 33, and shows the secret

of safety in an otherwise dangerous pathway, "even as I please all men in all things, not

seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved", this being

followed by the remarkable words, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ"

(11: 1). We give place to none in our insistence upon holding fast, and standing fast, yet

feel the need of our text lest we be led in mistaken zeal to rob God of His glory by

offending some by our manner or methods.

How we have longed for peace! How many things have been deferred "until peace

comes"! The contrast is so great, the relief so deep, the thankfulness so full, that we shall

not look with much favour upon anyone who lifts a warning voice. And yet peace has its

perils no less than war. One thing remains unchanged though all things else have altered,

and that is the heart of man. While most would admit that war is a product of the flesh,

many may doubt either the wisdom or the truth of saying that peace too may be but

another of its works. Let us remember that the present state of peace is only truly named

as it is seen in contrast to the past state of war--it does not indicate, truthfully, the

character of the age; whether the nations of the earth be at war or are at peace, the age is

one, and the age is evil. In times of peace, as in times of war, the carnal mind is enmity

against God; the proclamation of peace will not mean that this world has altered its

attitude toward Christ or the Word. So it comes about that we seek to write a word of

warning, lest the perils of the present time should overtake any of our readers and find

them unprepared.

First among the "perils of peace" we place false prophets. We use the term in a lower

sense than the scriptural one, and do not mean that miraculous powers will be manifested

just yet.  Newspaper articles, religious leaders, thinkers and speakers, press, pulpit,

platform and pamphlet, have voiced a common theme, a growing ideal, an evolution of

man upward toward some lofty goal.  Scripture draws a decided line between the

visionary and the true prophet:--