Editorial July 24, 1937 Issue

"Let brotherly love continue"

Duncan Sinclair

As one surveys the field of the world of men today one may be tempted to ask, What has become of Christianity? Where are the graces of Spirit which should characterize the presence of Christians—the kindliness, the good will, the forgiveness, aye, the love which the Founder of the Christian religion, Christ Jesus himself, showed for mankind, and which he besought his follows of all time to cultivate as the secret of happiness and peace?

It indeed seems strange that the Christian spirit is no stronger in evidence among men than it sometimes is today, since there exists no doubt about the fact that Christianity holds for them the highest possible ideal—moral and spiritual—both in the living of their own lives and for the molding of their thoughts and actions relative to their fellow men. "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Matthew 7:12). "Let brotherly love continue" (Hebrews 13:1). What stronger utterances of good will could we have than these as an incentive to Christian conduct? And they have been ringing in the ears of humanity through nineteen centuries and more.

Probably we think more at present of these words of Jesus and the author of the book of Hebrews than we sometimes do, because of the mental and, unfortunately, physical turmoil to be found throughout the world—in distant parts and at our very doors. How is this strife to be allayed; how counteracted and replaced by good will and peace? Quite obviously an enlightened change of thought is required, and of heart too, on the part of many of those in temporary authority and of those also who are serving under that authority. If this change were to come about, could there be any doubt as to the result? Immediately wisdom would prevail, wisdom supported by compassion, loving-kindness, and mercifulness, with the certain result of definite and harmonious understanding.

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