THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 28, 28 October 1942, Page 4

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

Comments—Reflections Intercession. Almighty God, Who rulest in the kingdoms of men, bind into one, we beseech Thee, the hearts of the peoples in our Empire, that, inspired by a common loyalty, they, may be strong to further Thy holy will. Give us grace to use Thy gifts of order and freedom to Thy glory and the welfare of mankind. Amen.

Good fortune is the companion of valour—The Duke of 'Wellington.

“Germany is several centuries behind the other European countries in political development. She is not yet fully grown, and we are at present witnessing the upheavals caused by her late developments. Is there any way of canalising and regularizing this phenomenon? It. is certainly difficult to do so, but not impossible, I think. Roughly speaking, we should do the opposite of what was done at Versailles’ "We must be pitiless in drawing the military and political clauses of the treaty, and reasonable, even generous in the economic clauses. Our aim should be to give Germany her share in the economic prosperity of the new world, but once and for all clip the wings and blunt the claws of the German eagle.”—Al. Spaak, Belgian Foreign Minister, writing in "The Kind of Peace I Should Like.”

"It has been rightly said that the old world will be finished after this war. But that does not mean a breaking up. On the contrary, in some ways It means a bringing together,” said Field Marshal Smuts in a “Sunday Express” interview, “My belief is that just as Christianity has kept the civilized world together for centuries, so the spirit of the British Empire—the ordinary code o£ gentlemanly behaviour—will keep the freedom-loving nations together from now on. Schisms, creeds, political jargon and shibboleths will go. Our social structure will be blown to hell, but there will lie a new Socialism that will have nothing to do with polities or economics—a simple desire to give. That and a modernized League of Nations within the framework of tlie Atlantic Charter and the Anglo-Soviet pact are my big hopes for a better world.”

“No doctor would think of looking to Galen or Hippocrates for guidance on a disease which he has just discovered. He would set about research ■with all the facilities which the most completely modern laboratory offered. For his basic belief is that in every situation there are always new facts to be discovered. No psychologist would turn to the medieval analysis of the Scholnstice lor an explanation of the working of a human mind which he did not understand. He also would turn to fresh research. Even the economists have learned to put less faith in the dicta of past professors. But it needs a revolution in thought before it could naturally occur to the average Christian, that when the traditional Christian treatment of a subject had proved ineffective, the right thing to do is to make a fresh examination of the actual situation and the data available on it." —Rev. John Hadam in his book “Between God and Man,” in a plea for new interpretations when new knowledge and methods are available, to avoid the break-down of the spiritual foundations of society.

"It becomes clearer with every passing phase of the circumstances of our time that the Churches must brace themselves to face an altered situation in which it is quite possible their institutional form may not survivewlthout change. That has happened before in Christian history, and may happen again; and it is’only right that we should courageously prepare to meet the demand of a new age. There is nothing in such a prospect for Christian faith to fear. Christian faith before now has lived through the crashing of empires and the breakdown of civilizations. A faith which witnessed the Fall of Rome, lived through the Bark Ages, and saw medieval feudalism disappear, has nothing finally to fear from the passing of an age of economic individualism and the dawning of planned society, in which we take more deliberate care for the well-being of common folk. To inspire that conviction tlie lecture is designed.”—Rev. E. C. Urwin, Al. A.. 8.D., in a recent address. "Religion in planned Society,”

Says the German arch-propagandiet, Dr. Goebbels: "The Axis Powers are not afraid of a second front being formed. We still consider a BritishAmerican invasion of the Continent a crazy enterprise which would lie accompanied by tlie most disastrous consequences for Britain and the United States. Knowing their temperament and character, we believe them capable of it. It would therefore be criminal if the German command did not prepare for it. It may gradually be dawning on Churchill and Roosevelt Hint they are about to lose the war on the battlefield of tlie East and see no other way out than to take this most baardous risk. In an attempted invasion they will use every kind of deception.’ By radio they will cull on the population of the occupied countries to ilse and throw off the yoke. For a time tlie world will hear the clash of arms and lying agitation. Then, slowly but surely, our war machine will move, and we shall see the British marching to Berlin, not as conquerors but :i<s prisoners, while the shattered remnants will attempt an other Dunkirk.’ On Guard. Today I have seen the sun go down Serene ami peaceful behind an English hill. And I have noticed bow Hie woods Have turned from green to drub olive. And are now lu.-ick, as the nightjar Redeems the sable stillness. The last bugle has sounded Until tomorrow when tlie sun holds its drub rebea-’sal For another splendid leavetaking. And ns 1 watched I thought how that we are not fanatic In this our fight, and for that reason, Being aj» steadfast, ns tills English hill. Must win. And then tlie world will see a dawn As resonant as this sunset; And sunset never more will dim the ea i’l h With senseless passion. 11. B. Brailsford.