[From the Frederick Leader, Oklahoma]

What better resolution could we make on this Memorial Day than that our high ambition shall be not more land beneath our flag but more universal love for that flag, because of the justice and the unselfish love it symbolizes? How might we better show our devotion to the men who gave their lives for us than that we should give our efforts to bringing our children's lives out from under the shadow of the sword and into the sunlight of good will?

[From the Presbyterian Magazine, New York, New York]

There never was an hour when the nation needed the inspiration and guidance of a compelling religious faith more than in this hour, and for such a faith the nation has a right to look to the Christian church. To her has been committed not only the duty of saving the individual but of Christianizing the nation. This, we take it, is what our Lord meant when he said: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." This is the most vital and valuable work possible. It is deeper than politics, for it deals with the men and women who make and administer and obey the laws. It is more fundamental than economics, for it touches the sources and uses of wealth, the men and women who create and distribute it and who accumulate and apply it. Never did larger responsibilities fall upon the Christian church than today. She holds in her keeping the future of our country. If she is to be the moral guide the nation needs now, she must recognize that her strength lies neither in political policies, nor economic programs, nor ceremonial pomp, nor material resources, but in the truth she teaches, the life she communicates, and the character she forms.

[Dr. Wayne S. Snoddy, as quoted in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, Missouri]

We cannot view lightly the present perils that confront us. Not with fear but with faith let us face them. Our problems may be too great for human strength and wisdom to solve, but let us not be unmindful of divine aid available for our needs.

What is the cause of our present social confusion? Is it God's fault or ours? We know that God's purpose for the world is good. Then we have somehow missed the way. God's righteous laws have been disregarded in our human relationships. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the Golden Rule we have set up a rule of gold. We must change this. . . .

Not to get but to give, not to possess but to serve, not to desire comfort and ease for one's self but to suffer and sacrifice for others—that is [Jesus] Christ's way. Blessed are the meek, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart—these and other like paths bring us to the goal of an ideal world. On no other basis shall we find the solution of our social problem.

It is hard, of course, for those who are intrenched in privilege to see things in this light. Nevertheless, privilege is for service, and he who turns his back upon that truth impoverishes himself. Social justice is the best defense against social revolution. The way of Christian brotherhood is the way out of our present confusion.

Shall we not strive daily with all our resources of heart and hand, to build in our day a Christian social order by the pattern of the kingdom of God? Let us work for a fellowship of mankind, based on justice and love, blinding together the rich and the poor in bonds of understanding, helpful service, and affectionate good will. Let us harness every energy in common endeavor for a better world.

[From the New Outlook, Toronto, Ontario, Canada]

If Jesus were with us again today is it not likely that the message of that far-away time would be the very message that he would like to be heralded far and wide—"The kingdom of heaven is at hand"? And, without waiting till we are sure that we understand all that he would mean by such words, ought we not to lay a firm hold upon some obvious meanings at least. If Jesus were to say that to us today, he would mean this at least, that this was indeed a day of great opportunity, that some great good lay just to our hand if only we would reach out and take it. . . .

It is reported that one of the things that Tolstoy said . . . was, "The world-wide revolution which will reorganize society on a basis of love and service, instead of hate and war, is at the door." And think of the years of bloodshed and horror that followed the drawing of that fair picture! Men may shut the door in the face of even such a beautiful thing as that. The kingdom of heaven may be right there, but men may choose hell instead. One has a feeling that the thing which Tolstoy saw has once more become almost an immediate possibility in this our day, if the world had only the wisdom and the courage to take it. The things we have been suffering have shown us our need of the great reorganization that he pictured, and the Master's message reminds us that, if men are only willing, kingdoms may be born in a day.

[Jesse Isador Straus, as quoted in the New York Times, New York]

Nations are like individuals and frame their policies on the national, and not international, benefits to result therefrom. The international aspect is considered mainly as it affects the national good. Thus, all international conferences, whether they be on disarmament, reparations, or debts, are battle grounds.

In the long run, morality must prevail, and in national as well as individual effort, good will and reputation for square dealing are the great assets. . . .

The League of Nations, chambers of commerce, and associations of one kind and another for mutual assistance can only effect their purpose if they confer in a spirit of real friendship and are open and aboveboard. They must have greater regard for the whole rather than any part.

[Rev. James Reid, M. A., in the British Weekly, London, England]

It is God's mercy which refuses to let us settle down in the second best. So the waters of life are troubled. But God is waiting to meet us there to give us the healing which could come in no other way.

We can have this experience, for instance, in the world of our friendships. These are often very troubled waters. The closer we come to another the more we come upon possibilities of trouble. In some cases of friendship the relationship is so deep, the understanding so perfect that it is never ruffled. For the most part, however, it is not so. We grow into the intimate friendships of life through some measure of difference. We find the deeper levels through some temporary misunderstanding. These are often difficult to bear, and in proportion as the love is real. But if it is real and not merely a thing of pride or selfishness, the trouble can send us down below the surface to find deeper foundations and a more perfect fellowship. We learn to accept one another, to forgive one another, to get rid of the things that have wounded love.

Pride is broken. We become more tender and understanding and forbearing. Many a home which stands today foursquare to all the winds discovered its real security through something which threatened the very wreck of love. But husband and wife faced it together, and sought the root of their love in God and His control of their united lives. It is the way that God often appoints. . . .

Are we troubled within, vexed by some strange unrest? Is there some conflict we cannot be rid of? It is the discovery of God's footprint in our life. He is seeking to lead us into a more real and intimate fellowship in which there is healing. . . . He breaks our peace that He may give us His own.

[From the Northwestern Lutheran, Milwaukee, Wisconsin]

Leadership that does not change a man's heart may achieve an apparent, temporary effect, but its failure will soon become evident. . . .

No one will deny that conditions would not be what they are now if men had walked with each other in love.

What laws and regulations cannot do, love can do and does. Love does not wait for great movements and changes; it begins to work immediately where it finds opportunity. We frequently hear how it has found a way to ameliorate conditions in these trying times. Creditors and debtors, mortgagors and mortgagees, have come to an understanding. Employers have lightened the blow to their men; fellow workers have arranged to share the burden with each other; and the helping hand of those has gone out to supply the needs of the less fortunate. Love is at work; and it is effective.

Life is, after all, the sum of little things. Change the relation between man and man to one of love and kindly understanding and helpfulness, and you are contributing effectively towards the general good.

"If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them."

[Dr. R. O. Lawton, in the State, Columbia, South Carolina]

Men do not gather figs of thistles nor wheat from tares. God promises us seedtime and harvest and the reproduction of every seed after its kind. This rule obtains in the realm of nature, and it obtains in the realm of the Spirit. If we sow to the flesh we shall of the flesh reap corruption; if we sow to the Spirit we shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And this is an inexorable, a changeless law.

[Rev. T. J. S. Ferguson, as quoted in the Daily News, Nelson, British Columbia, Canada]

He who sends the rain to fall on the unjust inspires us to forgive those who trespass against us even as we would ourselves be forgiven. Nationality we travel more slowly than we do individually, and nations must yet learn the great art of saying, "even as we forgive those who trespass against us."

[H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, as quoted in Great Thoughts, London, England]

The way to prevent war is not by some sudden and violent action at the eleventh hour, but by the gradual and steady formation of habits of international cooperation.