Morale Or Faith?

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 285, 1 September 1942, Page 4

Morale Or Faith?

.Sir, —In the present world conflict no word is in more general usage than morale. Political and ecclesiastical leaders, newspaper editors-, all declare that morale and the will to win are absolute necessities toward obtaining victory. But far too much is hoped for, and expected, irom. that which is, after all, but an attitude of mind. If as a nation all that we have to strengthen us in this hour of distress is the morale of our armed forces and people then we are in serious pbght. ine unexpected conditions in India add -to tue peril facing the Allied nations. . Early this year a pamphlet was issued, “The (Need of the Hour.” In this MrWinston Churchill is quoted as saying that the vital issue of this conflict is “Faith or no faith, God or no God, soul or no soul.” Tills is the Christian point of.view. The spiritual-value of the national days of prayer lies in the fact that there is official acknowledgment of dependence upon God and that faith is being exercised. The Scriptures declare, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a lewarder of all them that diligently seek

Him?* . . It is to be regretted that it was not considered possible to set apart the whole of Thursday next as a day o£ prayer. After the earthquake of August 2 last, the city engineer is reported to have said, “We can be grateful to Providence that it ceased when it did. Just another few seconds and it would have been disastrous.” We know that some did exercise faith, on that Sunday morning, and God had mercy upon us. For this reason alone Wellington would have honoured God and served itself ■well it the National Day of Prayer had been made a day of Thanksgiving as well as of intercession. Nevertheless, we have faith to believe that God will have regard and will accept the petitions that shall be offered up to Him on this occasion. We may confidently expect mighty results to follow. —I am, etc.—DAVID O. McCLAY. Wellington, August’3l.