PEACE AND ARBITRATION.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 265, 18 July 1917, Page 4

PEACE AND ARBITRATION.

It is difficult at a time like the present, when the whole civilised world is in the throes of a great conflict—a conflict which all engaged in it arc firmly convinced is necessary in the interests of freedom and righteousness —to think and speak of peace. We constantly hear it said that this is not the time to dwell on thoughts of peace, love, universal brotherhood; that we must wait till the war is over before bringing these ideas forward. And yet, surely, if there is one time more than another when our highest ideals need to be emphasised and brought before men’s minds, is it not now, when these very ideals are in danger of being forgotten? If, as some of us believe, it is the thought of one generation that moulds the character and creates the atmosphere of the next, then it is now. amidst the strife and the conflict, that the preparation must begin for the peace so earnestly desired. The question that most deeply concerns us is how can we individually help in the bringing in of that glor.ous time when war shall be no more? It may not be possible, even if it were desirable, to put an immediate end to the w ar now devastating the world; that war has its roots in causes which are far-reaching the growth of ages of thought and action along certain lines, and th» causes must work themselves out before peace can come. We are now reap ng the bitter harvest of a long policy of self-seeking and

mutual distrust, and none can rsir 11 away its fiuits. But these causes will be worked out in due course, and th« n will come the time for reconstruction; it is for this we must now prepare, striving constantly, by »he creation of a thought-atmosphere of love and unselfishness, to make it possible for the new civilisation to be based upon right instead of might, upon love instead of hate; co-operation and mutual helpfulness instead of self-intci st. This is work in which women especially, who are not actively engaged in the conflict, can take part. There are two ways in which we can thus help in the reconstruct on of the future, and 1 should like to point out how these are embodied in the two resolutions in connection with this subject, passed at our last Convention. (See Convention number of “White Ribbon,” p. 4.)

1. First, we can help by the power of our own thought. Perhaps we hardly realise what that power is, how every thought we cherish exercises an influence, in proportion to its intensity, upon the mental atmospht re around us, affecting all who come within its reach, either for good or for evil. If we did but realise this; if we did but understand how every unkind or angry thought of ours is strengthening the forces of evil, and making the return of peace more difficult ; and how every thought of love is helping to send out a counteracting influence, we should be more careful what kind of thoughts we allow our minds to dwell upon. It is because of this power which we all possess, the power of setting up thought-cur-rents which help in determining the nature of the thoughts of the world and the action resulting therefrom it is because of this that we ask our members to make a habit of sending out day by day thoughts of love and peace. Rev. Rhondda Williams, of Brighton, in a sermon preached last Christmas, says: “Mind and spirit are the greatest powers <n the world. If only the mind and spirit be set on the side of righteousness, righteousness w ill prevail; and if they be distinctly centred on peace, peace will come. Every mind creates a certain atmosphere, kindles a certain fire of influence. When many minds are moved by one spirit, lit by one fire, then a great force is generated that travels far. What is greatly needed

at the present is a multiplication of men and women who will determine to -end out into the present atmosphere i»f the world the greatest i>oss.ble fori e of good will, who will earnestly des re that the nations shall come to an understanding, that the* war shall cease, and that the King of Peace reac h His throne. Be continually thinking it, feeling it, praying for it; get your friends to do the same, until this becomes the* atmosphere of life about you. You may be sure other groups will do likewise, and the waves ' will meet, the flames will catch and blend. They will make .» powerful force, a great fire. . . . Such a concentration of minds, moved by the One Great Divine Spirit, would make an atmosphere in which the Governments could discuss their great problems with a bias towards agreement. That is >.ur main business as religious people in this crisis.’’ 2. The second way in which we can all help in this work of reconstruction is expressed in the- second of the two resolutions referred to, bringing before us our responsibility towards the children. 1 do not think we can possibly lay too must stress on the importance of implanting right ideas on these matters in the minds of the children. The future lies with them, and according to the principles given them for their gu dance now, will be the spirit that rules the world in the days to come. If they are allowed to grow up in an atmosphere of international rivalry, self-interest, and distrust, perhaps even of retaliation and hatred of those whom we call our enemies, then there is little hope of the dawning of a better day for the world. We all probably know something of the tendency in many of our schools to foster the spirt of so-called patriotism, meaning by this the furtherance of our own country's interests, it may be even at the cost of others. Cannot this be replaced by international patriotism, the desire for the good of all nations alike, and of our own simply because we are a part of the great brotherhood of nations, in which each one can only find true prosperity 11 the prosperity of all? When this spirit prevails amongst all nations, war will become impossible, and it is by the education of the children upon these lines ihat the ideal of a lasting peace can be most surely attained. Rev. V, T. Pomeroy, than whom I

know ot none more competent to speak on this subject, in speaking a year ago on “The Children in War-time,” said: “If the world of to-morrow is a cleaner, saner, and more fraternal world, it will be largely because the children of to-day have been kept clear of the old weary-eyed evils. 1 can conceive no meaner, more miserable act than that which plants in the minds of the young the promise of another war. . . . (One of the chief penaltie sof us grown men and women is that we are imitated by the children. Our behaviour teaches more forcibly than our talking. . . . I suppose we cannot expect them to do anything else than make into games what we have made into enter prises of shattering pain. 1 wish they were not quite so fond of playing at soldieis. 1 wish adventure and glory would fasten themselves to other ideas for their admiration. 1 speak with sympathy. No boy was ever more fond of battle games than I was twenty years back. The day before yesterday 1 was confronted by a tiny boy armed with a toy rifle. He fired merrily and without mercy, and of course 1 had to fall. It was only a game—and jet —

The rain is slipping, dripping down the street, The day is grey as ashes on the hearth, The children play with soldiers made of tin, While you sew Row after row. War is slipping, dripping death on earth. If the child is father of the man, Is the toy gun father of the Krupp? For God’s sake think, While you sew Row after row. i There are better avenues. . . . There are possibilities of a play which exercises imagination and energy in ways constructive. . . It promises a better outcome than the age-long game of soldiers. It re-inforces the best of the grown-up world, not the worst. . . .) ‘‘Let us beware lest we do anything to mutilate and slay the best instincts in the Tiearts of the children. Let ih sec* to it that we are the guardians, not only of their bodies, but also ot their inner selves, which are the founts

of future betterment on the sad earth. It is for us to nourish the children on the ethics of robust comradeship and the spiritual power of Chris't. It is for us to set the children marching with the rhythm of the universal love. Locked within the hearts of the c hildren are the tremendous potencies which promise a better world. Our ta>k is to release the innate friendliness whic h will lead us to the realm of equity and joy.” It is because I have so strong a conviction of the truth of all this, that 1 have asked the Unions to send this resolution to the schools in their districts. Several have already acted upon the suggestion, and I trust that many others will take part in the work. The deliberate emphasising of the principles which it embodies will surely help in the creation of a betie r thought atmosphere; and though we may not sec an immediate result, we shall at least have tried to do our part in the sowing of the seed that shall ripen into a harvest of peace and love amongst all nations. MARIAN JUDSON, N.Z. Supt. Peace and Arbitration.