THE WORK OF THE GOOD CITIZENSHIP DEPARTMENT.

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 240, 18 June 1915, Page 12

THE WORK OF THE GOOD CITIZENSHIP DEPARTMENT.

It is well for us sometimes to ((insider what is the meaning and value of this department, in order that wc may see better how to tarry on its work. In*America it is called the Department of Christian Citizenship, and this may perhaps give us a clue. I have sometimes said that this department seems to include everything which affects the welfare of the community, and which is not covered by any other department of the Union; but 1 may modify that somewhat. It seems to I a question of special work, hut rather of a special attitude towards any kind of work. Christian citizenship should mean the bringing of Christian principles to bear upon all that has to do with our life ;i> citizens; from that point of view there is m ing in our sot ial life that do - come within the working of this department in that special way. 11 that is so, then wc should try to cK al w ith those aspects of life whit h are at the time brought most prominently before us, and most occuj y our thoughts. There is no qu lion to what that aspect now is; there is nothing else which is of anything like the same moment to U-* as the war. Indeed, we cannot think of anything apart from this; it colours our whole life, and our attitude t< - wards it affects all wo do. It seems fitting, therefore, that those of as who wish to live and act as good citizens should give some thought as to the best method of dealing with it. Let me say at once that 1 have no intention of entering into pra< tieal questions concerning present conditions; doubtless we all have our own opinions upon the matter, but we arc certainly not in a position to take any action with regard to it, nor do I think we are able to judge as to the policy and methods of the war. But wo can take up a certain attitude towards it, and use what influen* . we

have on the side of peat c. This seems to me the work which women are called upon to do at this time; wc have a great power and a great influence, though unseen, end surely every woman stands for peace, and would use her power in that direction. T his does not net essarily mean that we must take steps in the direction of an immediate cessation of hostilities, even if that were possible, however nun h we may all long for the time when that may be. We are stand- •! g before a grim reality, which is b yond our understanding and out of our control; but dark and terrible as it is, through it all there stands out two facts which wc cannot afford to loose our hold of, the loss of w hii h would mean despair Divine (Guidance and Divine Love. If we believe in a Divine Hand guiding all things, then we know that, unintelligible though it may be to us, everything is being worked out to a good end; and knowing that Divine Hand to be a Hand of Love, we are sure th it Love i> the power that alone can put an end to the strife and misery that are flooding the whole world. This i> where I believe that our work and influence .h women should tome in; we ran throw our whole force on the sirle of love. But we have to deal w>th causes rather than effects, and causes lie in th * mental and spiritual world rather than in the physical. From that point of view, what is the cause of this war? 1 do not believe for a moment that it would have been in the power of any man or any nation to involve the whole of Europe in a w r such as this if the conditions had not been already prepared by the collective thought and desire of all the nations concerned, through many a long year, together with the wrong principles at the basis of our civilzation. We are beginning now to recognise that thought is a force the most powerful in the world, that every thought takes form in the mental world, and that when these forces

grow strong enough nothing can prevent them from crystallising into action in the physical. There has been so much thought of war, so much preparation for it, so much fear and expectation of it, and all this has combined to create su< h i fon e in the world of thought that nothing could prevent its taking form in the world of action. And we have all had our share in this; every unloving thought, every feeling of antagonism, passion, envy, retaliation, has added to this force and helped to bring about the inevitable result. Each one of us is thus more or less responsible. What then remains now for us to do? If we recognise this power which lies in our thoughts, wc shall understand that what has been brought about by its working can also be counteracted by it. If wc ran generate a force of an opposite character to that which is now dominating the hearts of men, we may slowly, but surely, create a different spirit, a different atmosphere, and so prepare the way for more peaceful and happy conditions. This is the point that I want to lay stress upon that we have it in our power to do this, that as the force of hate has brought about war, so the force of love may bring about its destruction. In a recent number of “Jus Suffragii” there is a paragraph which expresses something of the thought I want to convey:—“There are many women in Europe, many women throughout the world, who are hinging for a grand heroic opportunity to bring peace to the world. ... It may be lhat the work of women at this moment is patiently and quietly to create the will for peace. No heroic sacrifice can make peace in the world until the W ill for it has been created. . . . Upon women especially falls the duty of disseminating the will for peace. Each woman in her own place ran begin that work now. She can dedicate herself to the cause of peace, pray for it, think for

it, influence others to join with her in a league whose motive force shall be the will for peace. A nucleus of women, here, there, everywhere, thinking and working thus, will eventually permeate the public mind with their desire.” Could not our Unions become such little nuclei, little centres from which love and peace may radiate all around, helping to counteract the war spirit which is so strong in the world, and to bring the day of peace a little nearer? Would not this be the best he lp we could give, and the best way of showing ourselves to be really good citizens?

in order to help to bring this about, l should like to suggest to the Superintendents of this department, and to any who arc interested in its work, th.it they should try to organise groups for the study of questions connected with the subject of peace and war, to understand the principles involved, and to see what must be the basis of a peace that shall be permanent, and how to work for the formation of a public opinion in favour of some better method of settling disputes th/.n the force «'f arms. It would also be both interesting and helpful to study the platforms of the many women’s organisations that have been formed in America and in European countries, having for ther object the establishment of peaceful international relationships. We might not agree with them on every point, but we should certainly find some points of agreement, and in this way we should be coming into line, as it were, with women in other parts of the world. This is one of the strongest factors in the establishment of a strong, united public opinion, which is certain to have its effect in the long run. And another line open to us is to make ourselves acquainted with all the work that is being done by women in the* way of relief and help of every kind during the present most distressful time. We in New Zealand know far too little of what is being done in all the European countries, and the knowledge of it could not fail to broaden our sympathies, and strengthen the bond which should unite the* hearts of all women, and so bring us nearer together.

Sufficient material upon all these points is to be found in the papers published in connection with the

Women’s Suffrage Movement. There is also much information in the pages of the ‘‘Christian Commonwealth." I should specially recommend, at any rate, as a beginning, ‘‘Jus Suffragii,’’* the monthly organ of the Women’s International Suffrage Alliance. This paper gives news from all countries, and deals more or 1< ss fuily with all the points above mentioned, and the back number-, from the beginning of the present, year, would afford matter for study tor a considerable time. For any who wished to go more deeply into the subject, there are books and pamphlets published by the Peace Societie s in England. I should be glad to give addresses or other information to any one desiring it. Hut what wc women should do, above all, is to keep a high ideal of peace before our minds, and try to live up to it, to keep our thoughtfixed upon peace and love, as the basis and inspiration of all our actions. Wc have heard much about this being the war that is to end war; but if ever war is to be banished from the world, it can only be by the general acceptance of the ideals of peace and love. The question for all of us is: Can we help in any way to bring this about, and is it worth while to try? MIRIAM JUDSOX, N.Z. Supt. of (1 •C. Dept.