Article January 23, 1943 Issue

Signs of the Times

"There is a spirit in man"

with contributions from Arthur Hopkinson, Robert Power, William Ward Ayer, A Correspondent

Canadian Churchman Toronto, Ontario

Christian love includes toleration in thought, understanding in motive, and co-operation in effort. It will impel an employer to know his workmen, their problems and their dreams, and thus it will solve all financial disputes. It runs through all life's relationships, family, economic, national, and international. Love and force are antithetical. The Golden Rule is, "Do unto others, as ye would they should do unto you." The iron rule of force is, "Make others do what you want them to do." You cannot make people good by law nor make them Christian by compulsion. The iron rule of force has made the world sick unto death. It has plunged us into two world wars in a generation. There is only one way out. It is the way of St. Paul, which is also the way of Christ—that mutual understanding which leads through mutual confidence to Love. We have tried every other way, at long last it looks very much as if we would try the way of love.

Love's proof is unselfishness. As soon as self raises its ugly head, love has vanished. If the words of love continue in such a case, they are, to use the apostle's phrase, "like sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." The mothers of the human race show a love that is likest God's. ... They give ample proof of love. No wonder the prophet of old said, "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you."

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