Signs of the Times

with contributions from W. A. Cameron, G. M. Ottsen

A correspondent in the
Lancashire Evening Post
Preston, England

In the famous church of St. Margaret's, Westminster, there is a stained glass window in memory of Caxton, the first English printer, who set up his press nearby. The inscription on it was composed by Tennyson and was based on Caxton's motto, Fiat Lux—Let there be light.

Thy prayer was 'Light—more Light—
while Time shall last!'
Thou sawest a glory growing on the night,
But not the shadows which that light would cast
Till shadows vanish in the Light of Light.

Today we are all acutely conscious of the shadows and complexity of life, and we long for light—more light—in our distracted world. Christ [Jesus] is the "light of the world": that is one of his most splendid titles. He is, says St. John, the light of "every man that cometh into the world."

He is not the Light of one nation or sect. He is the universal Light.

Our Lord said, "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." ...

In the Sermon on the Mount our Lord told his disciples (Matt. 5:14,16): "Ye are the light of the world. ... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Now in that sense even Christian ought to be a light bearer in a world befogged. ...

People sometimes think that if only we could get back to the simplicity of life as Christ [Jesus] knew it nearly two thousand years ago in the quiet hill country of Judea and by the shores of Galilee, how infinitely easier it would be.

But life in Palestine in those days was by no means serene and simple. The country was full of strife and confusion and controversy.

In the midst of such argument and conflict the greatness of Christ's [Jesus'] teaching is seen in its simplicity. He framed no minute rules, but he got down to the root of things, to the springs of thought and action, and taught principles which the simplest folk could understand and practice.

From a column
by Rev. W. A. Cameron
in the Daily Star
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The fortress of wrong may appear imposing, and even impregnable, but its walls are cracking and the foundations have never been secure. Soon it will crash to earth, and God will build His kingdom in its place. ...

But our trust as Christians is not in the outcome of some blind world process, but in the triumph of the living God. When we open our New Testament we find this message of the victory of God continually on the Master's lips. He came into Galilee crying (Mark 1:15): "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand"!

What is the conclusion of the prayer he taught his disciples to pray? We hurry over it so often in our haste to get to the end that we do not grasp the significance of the words with which we should go out to face the world (Matt. 6:13): "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever." We may know that truth and right have the universe on their side.

Rev. G. M. Ottsen
in the Evening Intelligencer
Charles City, Iowa

Parents know what it is to be hounded with this question—Why? "Why, Daddy?" "Why, Mommy?" The understanding parent will take the time and the effort to give the child a reasonable reply. ...

The frequency with which many grownups ask this selfsame question in matters pertaining to their experiences indicates in their Christian teaching and practice a similar immaturity and lack of training. "Why does God allow wars to exist?" "why did God visit this terrible affliction upon me?" "Win does God make me suffer?" To which might be replied, "Why don't you strengthen your Christian faith so that you won't blame God for everything?"

Such questions show a lack of sound Christian practice, indicating a desire to alibi for themselves by placing the blame of the results of their own selfishness upon one whom they do not know. The basic and essential faith of the real Christian is this: that God is a Being of Love! He is not the author of evil nor the author of anything contrary to Love.

The reason for the existence of ugliness and meanness in this world is that you and I have allowed them to exist. Directly or indirectly, you and I are as much responsible for their presence as though we had instigated them. The war in Korea is our war. Depressions and industrial strife in our country are our doings. We are responsible, not God!

The question is not. Why? The admission is: Forgive me, God, for my own selfishness and greed. The alternative is mature Christian faith with love.

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