Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1918. CHRISTMAS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1918. CHRISTMAS.

After four Christmas seasons shadow'* . ed by the pall of war, we have a Christmas free from the anxiety and danger : of ominous times. The relief is not as apparent as it might be, because of another shadow which is just passing, the shadow of a deadly epidemic which took toll more heavily than war itself for the brief period it raged. Dreadful as tre war was, the scourge of the epidemic , was more exacting and there must he a feeling of thankfulness that the danger is passing and the Dominion (as indeed the world) is returning fo more than normal times. Here on the threshold of Christmas there should bo now a clearer and brighter outlook for tho future. For four anxious years the people have been praying and hoping for an honourable peace. Tho blessing of those tranquil times was secured by the armistice to be confirmed dated by the peace treaty itself which will giv-j the world the blessing of a universal and lasting peace. This year tho angel chorus which once proclaimed the advent of One who was to give the world its pattern for Christianity, can bo carolled with genuine heartiness in the clear fulfillment of its world message. “Peace on Earth; goodwill to all men,’’ neel not now be an empty wish. The out come of tho war has rendered to the words a fuller meaning than it possible hitherto for nations to concede to each other. A great soldier like lan Hamilton filled with a deeply religious faith, has seen in General Allenby’s military stroke in Palestine tho enactment of the Armageddon to give theworld a lasting peace. The victory struck at tlio root of the enemies’ strength, and their cohesion once shaken all things became possible., The Palestine campaign fought over the territory where was enacted the birth of Christianity so many years ago, was indeed a notable event of tho war and that it contributed to tho collapse of tho enemy combination there can be no doubt. It is at least significant that in that quarter of the far-flung battlelino, the first decisive step towards the eompleto and final victory which followed was remarked. The war then has brought us peace. It will not be a patched peace, such as many faint hearts would have completed all too eagerly. The peace will he made permanent and lasting, if the same oim l co-ordination anicuag the Allies continues in the hour of victory, as it did in the days of serious trial and menacing disaster. The peace so established will be a great prize for all humanity and bring in a new era. Statesmen and writers are telling us alwayß that the war lias recreated the world. It wll be a new habitation; the old order will change and the world can never be its old self again. In this great opportunity for -change, it is for the people to see that tho changes are all for the better. But the beginning must be with the individuals first, and then ah things will bo possible. In the period of the epidemic as in the foref-ont of the battle line, all barriers were down all men were’equal to take their chance be what- it may. For a brief period al, divisions were down and if that community of interest could exist r.P through life what a difference it would make. Then would be possible ell that we wish our readers to-day in the time-honoured salutation of tho season, | “A MERRY CHRISTMAS.”