Article August 22, 1942 Issue

Signs of the Times

Topic: Being on Guard

with contributions from McLain C. Spann, Edwin S. Lane, Ralph Holland, J. C. McLean-Bell, Richard K. Morton

[Rev. McLain C. Spann, as quoted in the Daily Local News, West Chester, Pennsylvania]

In times of great danger we need poise and self-control most. There is also the danger in a time like this to place the emphasis upon our material might, our wealth, natural resources, great institutions, military strength, and national prestige. These have their place and value. But after all, life does not consist in the abundance of the things which a man posesses. Neither does a man's real strength nor a nation's power reside in material and external things. The citadel of a man or of a nation is in the soul of the man or of the nation.

History gives testimony to the fact that nations great in material things, but decadent in moral and spiritual strength, went down in defeat by nations far inferior numerically and in military equipment. The injunction of the wise man is, "Guard above all things, guard your inner self, for so you live and prosper" [according to Moffatt's translation]. The government through its military agencies is seeing to it that the men who are called into military service are kept physically fit and mentally alert for military service. It is the imperative duty of the church to see that men and women, boys and girls, are kept morally and spiritually fit for service in our home life and our civic life. For as the Psalmist says [Moffatt]: "Unless the Eternal builds the house, workmen build in vain; unless the Eternal guards the town, sentries are on guard in vain."

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