YOUTH AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2612, 6 November 1915, Page 3

YOUTH AND THE WAR

"A DOWNRIGHT GLADNESS-lft LIVING." A correspondent who signs himself "Aged Twenty" gives in the "Spectator" tho views of a young man on the war, by way of contrast to those expressed in a previous issue by; "Senex."

"I hear,' he says, "many elderly people mourning the fact that they did not die before the war began, or that they wore not born after it. Tho values of things, they say, have changed. The world lias_ become, they eay, a darker place. We all deplore the war. We all feel its big tragedy, hut because we aro young, because we have not yet got deep down' into tho ruts of life, wo are not afraid. Is it not better to suffer, to ache and to grieve, and to knock our heads against stony problems than to spend our lives atncaig cushions witli never a thought of all these things? . fl The values have indeed changed, but does not that mean that we of the young generation will -have the priceless privilege of reoastiug them hereafter? It is a great responsibility, wo know, but a fine one. 'Yes, 1 the elders will say, 'but without the war you would have mot many sorrows 'and SSfS-'jgKSjlems as you grow older. We wanted, you to enjoy life now while you. were young.' We are grateful to tlieni for that, but though wo have lost some things we have gained many more. Many of us are keenly conscious of the fact that sorrow ajid anxiety and pain, by coming to us early at the outset of our lives, have not robbed us of .our zest in_ living, but have made of life , a possession more worth having—a thing with a deeper meaning than heretofore. "Leaving the re'igious side of tho subject apart as* too difficult for discussion herd,, there have come to nil of us many opportunities for eervtee. I know that even before the war there were many of us who would gladly have given up a great part of our time to work for others, but we were too:timid or the difficulties and conventionalities wero too great. Now we know we can all do something to help if we only take the trouble to find out what, and I believe that a great many young people have found a newer peace of mind, a cleaner self-respect, from that wonderful thing called the Joy of Work than thoy could possibly have had before the Avar. They are learning that it is no mere truism that thoro is much happiness to bo found in serving other. Thoy are tasting the joys of a day's work done.

"Last year, when war broke out, I realised, of course, tliat the old cheerful social lifo was' over and that a new hind of lifo was beginning, hut it was oliiefiy tho historical side of the conflict that held my miud. The immensity- of the strugglo between England and Germany, the excitement of the unprecedented 6tato of things, blocked the view to the inner deeper meaning of it. I sought with relisu for historical parallels. I read with avidity books on the enemy's country. A year has passed, mid these considerations no longer hold the first place in my mind. The horror of the conflict is there; the yearning for the end, which is almost overpowering, is there too; but the first and foremost feeling after ono whole year <jf war is a downright gladness in living during these times; in knowing of, not merely believing in, courage and heroism and self-sacrifice; _ in feeling keenly a love of country; in seeing the sheer bravory of a bitter grief. Is it not worth living now to possess this knowledge? "Platitudes and stock phrases are falling from us. Problems and questionings us, but we are going to wrestle with them. We are going to givo them a new interpretation. Wo uro not going to take anything _ for granted and the future of England is in our ftands. We are suffering much; wa loving our brothers, and our dear friends <md playmates, but .it will not embitter Ms. Wo shall hear more clearly through sorrow 'tho still sad music of humanity' that is yet being played under the shrieks' and the crash of war."