THE SABBATH.

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20728, 11 February 1939, Page 20 (Supplement)

THE SABBATH.

THE WAYSIDE CROSS “Which way shall I take?” shouts a voice on the night; “I’m a pilgrim a-wearied, and .spent is my light; And I seek for the palace that rests on the hill, But between us a stream lieth, sullen and chill.” “Which way shall I take for the bright golden span That bridges the waters %o safely for man?” To the right? to the left? Oh me, if I knew; The night is so dark, and the passers are few.” “See the light from the palace in -silvery lines, How they pencil the hedges and fruitladen vines? My fortune —my all—for one tangled gleam That sifts through the lilies and wastes on the stream.” Near, near thee, my son, is the old wayside cross, Like a grey friar cowled, In lichens and moss; And its cross-beam will point to the bright golden span That bridges the waters so safely for man. 3 ■—G. L. St. John. THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT? HOPE OF CIVILISATION In a large upper room of a house in old Jerusalem, about the year 33 A.D., a small band of men were gathered together around the table on which food had been prepared. After partaking of the evening meal, the master of the feast arose, and taking u-pon Himself the role of servant, forthwith began to wash the feet of each guest, a special sign of courtesy and consideration, an act of impartial love symbolic of mental purification. Did those humble men then realise the portent of this simple deed? Did they foresee therein the new era opening for the world, wherein

through one man's obedience to the law of Love, human thought would be permeated with purer ideals, so ending the false domination of hate and fear? Then Jesus said: "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another.” (John 13:34). The men so addressed were no weaklings; they were courageous and no doubt could use the weapons of their day with no mean skill. But here was a True Commander of Men He taught men that they were to combat hate and greed with the spiritual light and might of liberating Love. That set a new standard: As I have loved you, so love ye one another. They who would obey this new demand must- love spirituality more than personality. Truth and justice must be their creed, more of Love their need, and unselfishness their aim. History will show that on this basis a nobler civilisation can be won, the world freed from human strife. The new commandment obeyed will do more than save men physically. It will rescue them from the modern flood, the torrent of fears, half-truth propaganda and selfish educational theories. It will not leave men struggling in a sea of perplexity In the belief that physical might Is right, that freedom means liberty to Ignore or break the law, or that any philosophy which has no universal love in It will ever for long succeed. Rather will the new commandment help us to love mankind by throwing to them the life line which, draws their thinking to this Solid Ground of Truth that brotherly love Is the true motivating force of man, reason the most effective human agency for good, and intelligent work for the general welfare the straight way to a better world. Progress of mankind is retarded by disobedience to this new commandment or advanced by obedience to it. Obeyed, every home would be bright with duties well done, each individual helping others to be kind, temperate, charitable. They who are the truest friends of mankind will not scoff at the idea of a world ruled by brotherhood, but they will hasten its coming by themselves giving constant obedience to the new commandment, as. well as the Ten.