Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 79, 8 June 1945, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by the Wliakatmius Mmistejs' Association.).

V-E DAY

At long lust at the eo.st of so much tears and blood and sweat our hopes and prayers are reaching i'ullilmcnt. The war with Japan remains unbut it is just an incident within the crisis. The real crisis is over. It came to its height in that hour when France capitulated and Great Britain stood alone her only J defence, a narrow moat on the other side of which a victorious enemy clamoured for satiation. In that grim hour it seemed as though the end of our civilisation had come, that all that was left for the once proud British people was the admission of cowering defeat. But. the lighting spirit of that race so long suspected as dead rose in the threat of defeat and voiced its determination never to give in. Flushed with the delirium of his new won victories Hitler laughed, and even Britain's friends gravely considered Churchill's expression of that defiant faith as the death cry of a once glorious people. But time, hard work and unflinching courage have vindicated that faith.

To whom can we give the highest praise for giving the impetus which turned this tide in the affairs of men ? To Winston Churchill ? Yes because his indomitable courage was the rallying call which brought unity and strength to a seemingly defeated people. To generals and admirals like Wavell, Montgomery and Cunningham 7 Yes ? because their strategic genius gave direction to that unity and strength. To the R.A.F. ? Yes, because both men and officers gave genius andc ourage to meet an hour of vital crisis. To the soldiers? Yes because their grim courage 5 0 never quailed in defeat nor shifted in victory. To the sailors of the navy and merchantmen ? Yes because they faced monotony privation and suffering and never despaired. To the workers ? Yes ? because they worked through the din and shattering power of bomb explosions, to make the sinews of war. To the women ? Yes because those who J fouglit and worked and nursed accepted dangers and privations, unflinchingly and not able to work or to fight gave courage and

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

stamina to those who did. But above all we owe our victory to Almighty God. In every time of crisis the nation called to Him, and j because we prayed with sincerity and He answered our prayers. Hence in this hour of victory we cry with thankfulness—"To God Who giveth us the victory." The war in Europe is over and now we must turn to other problems. There arc grave issues to be faced in every European country especially those' which were occu - pied by the enemy. Hunger and disease threaten millions of people and only sacrificial organisation can prevent a catastrophe as great as any tribulation of war. Ugly political problems raise their heads with parties eager to grab control and to take advantage of the chaos of the time. To discover that unity which will bind the peoples together in the unity that peace demands will require patience, wisdom and statesmanship. The "United Nations meet just now in a conference which is to lay the foundations of a world organisation to prevent future wars and even as they meet elements of discord are evident, j Meanwhile, in the Pacific a fanatical enemy has still to be overcome and in that turmoil much sacrifice and suffering will be spilt before peace can come. While, therefore, we have the right to rejioice that the first great victory is won we ° 9 have also the duty to pray for that guidance which God above can give for the solutions of those tremendous problems that still confront us. For many years the war in Europe is a bad dream they want to forget. It is not a dream, but a grim reality. The world can never be quite the same again. A crisis has passed but in its passing fundamental changes have come which we must accept? and other even more fundamental changes will came in accordance with man's willingness or unwillingness to face the facts. We have cither to mould the future or it will mould us. We want a better day for the world, but it will come only if Ave are a better people. Org* anisations and plans are necessary ? but they are doomed to failure if the spirit of man is evil. Only God Himself can give vis wisdom to set right the muddle that men have made of the world He gave them.