Editorial September 16, 1944 Issue

Are You a Peacemaker?

John Randall Dunn

What pictures of harmony, of well-being, of calm after storm, are conjured up by that happy word "peace"! What wish, what prayer, is lovelier than "Peace be unto you"! And yet the seers and the wise men of all time have glimpsed and warned against a so-called peace, the foundations of which rest not on the granite of Principle. The intuitive Jeremiah exclaimed, "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." And a nineteenth-century poet utters the prayer, "God give us peace," but he adds quickly, "not such as lulls to sleep."

Of course the generally accepted concept of peace is the absence of war, or a state of tranquillity. But it is interesting to note that the Hebrew "Shalom," commonly translated "peace" in the Old Testament, is derived from a root meaning "to be safe." To God-fearing men and women, therefore, no peace is enduring, no peace is genuine, which rests not safely on the rock of spiritual understanding.

Many people frequently mistake for peace that which is only an armed truce. One is reminded of the story of the minister who called on a sick parishioner and found that he and another church member were sworn enemies. The pastor speedily arranged a meeting of the two belligerents and demanded that they shake hands as Christian brethren. This they did solemnly. Then whispered the sick one, "Of course, if I get well this is all off!"

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