THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 281, 26 August 1942, Page 4

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Comments —Reflections

Think more of the living and less of the dead, for the dead have a world of their own.—Thomas Tyers.

"The situation now i.s that the publie, taught by adversity and crisis, is beginning to realize that religion is a highly important and serious activity which we neglect at our peril. Thus to plead for a renewal of that activity is not just to be asking to run away from life and seek refuge in mists and emotions. It is a plea that people should make an earnest attempt to increase their interior resources, to gain fresh powers of action, of endurance, of insight and sympathy, and not least of practical judgment.”—The Rev. J. C. Hardwick in the “Modern Churchman.”

“What indeed is realism when specifically directed to international affairs? The evidence sticks out a mile, yet we miss it. What the plain man knows is that the conventions and standards of behaviour applicable to the relations between nations are something quite different from these which regulate the relations between individuals in any single nation. The same man can at the same time behave and talk reasonably, often even charitably, in his business and social contacts at home, yet talk and behave like a hooligan when the subject is ‘foreign affairs.’ The fact is so commonplace that it tends to escape notice. Herr Hitler can address a German audience, men and women, educated, cultured, and by the accepted standards even intelligent on the subject of his ‘foreign policy,’ can shriek his hysterical nonsence,, and his audience will lash itself into a frenzy of enthusiasm.’’ — From “Diplomacy and God,” by Dr. George Glasgow:

"I know quite well what can. he said, and truly said, in an explanation o£ some of the slackness and idling in factories and on tho docks. Quite often groups of workers have nothing to do for a time through no fault of their own. Sometimes this happens through faulty organization, sometimes it is inevitable. We must be careful not to condemn all workers for the crimes of a proportion of them. It is acknowledged all over the world that British work is sound and honest, and jthat a Briton’s word can be trusted; but is our national standard of integrity slipping downward, and are we acquiescing in the decline? The public mind is not, so far as L can judge, greatly disturbed by these grave symptoms. As you turn tho pages of history you will find again and . again that when an Empire or a civilization approaches its end it is at this point, without honesty and good faith, that the decay begins and few there are to care. There is among ordinary people an appreciation and respect for truth and honour strong enough—if it will only express itself—to check, if not to reverse, the downward trend, in the long run it is public opinion through which the issue will be decided.” —The Bishop of Liverpool, Dr. David, at a recent diocesan conference.

“The blockade of the Axis Powers is, as we all know, a blockade also of the occupied territories of Europe, because there has not been discovered or suggested any practicable method whereby these territories can be fed and furnished without benefit accruing to the Axis war effort, and consequent damage to our own. It is our hope that the blockaded peoples, some of them lately our allies and all of them still ,we trust, our friends, will realize that their freedom depends upon the defeat of the totalitarian Powers, and that what is necessary to that defeat must be endured. But we should be foolish not to recognize that there are powerful forces which work the other way. Public discussion of every kind in the countries in question is under the control of the invader, and the whole force of propaganda, directed by mien who devoted their lives to the study of 'it and whom no scruples of either truth or consistency deter from any falsehood, will inevitably bo directed to making the most of the blockade. Propaganda will play upon minds and feelings rendered to'some extent susceptible. It must be made clear that what these peoples have to suffer is for the sake of their own freedom and for the achievement of a new order of peace and well-being.”—Dr. William Patou.

"Where it seems that good grounds exist for dissatisfaction in -some particular section of the field of administration —as is inevitable from time to time—critics should not hesitate to speak out; they will lie rendering good service to tiie war effort by doing so. Nor should the Government resent the criticisms, even when a fuller presentation'of tiie. facts may enable Ministers to show that tiie objections are misplaced. A general election under war conditions would be attended by tiie most serious disadvantages; the register of voters is quite out of date; large sections of the population are away from their homes; to let loose a spate of political controversy would be a grave injury to the national cause; only in an extreme emergency, when no other course was possible, should sncli a measure lie considered. Meanwhile, by-elections furnish a useful guide to the state of national opinion That elections should be uncontested is also an expression of opinion. In tile working of a free democracy no alternative can be found to the party system. Since parties must be maintained, and must play an important part, It is tiie duty of good citizens to help to secure that (lie control, central and local, of the various parties is in tiie hands of capable and honourable men. Let u.s all lieware, in these limes of peril, of encouraging any rift in the solidarity of the nation, for that is tiie base on which all else stands.” —The Bishop of Liverpool, Dr. A. A. David, at a recent diocesan Conference.

Night Bombers. Eastward they climb, black shapes against tiie grey Of falling dusk, gone witli the nodding

day From English fields. Not theirs the sudden glow Of triumph that their fighter-brothers

know; Only to fly through cloud, through storm, through night Unerring, and to keep their purpose bright, Nor turn until, their dreadful duty

done, Westward they climb to race tiie awak-

ened sun. —From "Winged Victory,” by “Ariel,” a flight lieutenant.