Article August 25, 1923 Issue

Signs of the Times

[From the Tribune, New York, N. Y., June 4, 1923]

Full use of their gifts of sound minds to overcome the weaknesses and fear of the world and to induce a new spirit of cooperation and brotherhood was urged upon the members of the graduating class at Columbia University by Chaplain Raymond C. Knox in the annual baccalaureate sermon. ... Chaplain Knox declared that the gift of power which was possessed by the graduating students was "in the last analysis and in the true meaning of the word of the essence of faith." This gift he traced back to the "Father of lights," the author of every good and perfect gift; and in its nature and character the gift is like that of the early followers of Christ. It is never opposed to knowledge and inquiry, and it is the opposite of fear, which it must dispel. "As we look out on the world in which you are now to have your part," said the chaplain, "how evident it is that men are handicapped and suffering because of fear. Most conspicuously we see the prevalence of fear in the attitude of nations toward one another. In some instances it seems to be the controlling motive of national policy, and to a more or less degree it enters into the acts and plans of every country. It is fear that is responsible for the enormous armaments—that distressing spectacle of peoples still bleeding and exhausted from a terrible war, requiring all their resources and strength for recovery and peace, yet taking upon themselves the crushing burden of our modern, costly, destructive weapons, to be ready if need be for another conflict. The remedy is not for us who are more securely situated to censure and condemn those less fortunate than ourselves—that is only an aggravation. But it is for us to join with them in the common talk of removing fear. ... Love also will be of value in solving the social problems, because it will bring understanding."

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