[Rev. Charles A. Platt, in the Newburgh (New York) News ]

If there was ever a time when the world needed a message of comfort, it is today. . . . It is true, we need light to show us the way, and faith to enable us to cling to truth and righteousness. But it is equally true that light will come and righteousness will be established in a quiet mind which is comforted by the presence of God.

Looking back across the centuries we see, in the book of Isaiah, words of comfort and faith which will give our lives an even keel in the midst of our present-day storms. The prophet begins one of the most majestic hymns ever written with this glorious word, "Comfort" (Isaiah 40:1). Then he proceeds to reveal the basis upon which our comfort is established. As the hymn progresses, it reaches a climax in the words, "Behold your God."

We see here the divine blessing of comfort offered and how it may be obtained. The word comes from two Latin words meaning "with strength." This gives us an insight into what we really mean when we want to be comforted. . . .

"God is our refuge and strength." Here is not only a statement of God's power, but also a statement that that power is ours. "A very present help in trouble." . . . God is the transcendent creator of the universe, but He is also our Father.

[Rev. Donald Y. Swain, as quoted in the Examiner, Los Angeles, California]

What are the immovable things that man may cling to, amid vast disturbances that rock the earth?

First, we must remember that the supremacy of spiritual forces cannot be shaken. In spite of the carnival of insensate materialism, there is a power whose individual energy is the real master of the field. That power is the force of spiritual things as evidenced in the Christian life.

Secondly, we know the power of truth can never be shaken. In these times, when men know not where to turn, they must realize that the truth, although it may be hidden, will never be lost to those who seek.

Thirdly, even though all else may rock upon its foundations, the sovereignty of the Lord remains unshaken.

[From the Pelham (New York) sun]

No thinking person could deny the existence of a Supreme Being. . . It is the quiet realization of [this] that contributes much to the British courage which is exciting the admiration of the civilized world at the present time. . . .

A little handbill entitled "Morale How to Play Your Part" is circulated in the Borough of Camberwell, South London. . . . It reads: "Forget yourself in helping your neighbors. In days of tension this casts out your own fears and worries. Help them to carry out all instructions about air raids, evacuation, rationing, and waste. . . .

"The secret of steadiness and inner strength is to listen to God and do what He says. God speaks directly to the heart of every man and woman who is prepared to listen and obey. Write down the thoughts He gives you. His voice can be heard wherever you are in the home, in the factory, in the air-raid shelter, in the first-aid post.

"Forearm yourself by listening to God first thing every morning. This provides a clear plan for each day and the power to work with other people in complete unity. In a time of listening, God takes away fear and fortifies against uncertainty, hardship, or bereavement. He gives foresight and cool judgment; He offers limitless reserves of energy and initiative.

"A general who has fought through two wars said this: 'Telephone wires may be cut, wireless stations be destroyed, but no bombardment can stop messages from God coming through if we are willing to receive them. To listen to God and obey Him is the highest form of national service for everybody everywhere.' "

Here, then, is one of the secrets of the great upkeeping of . . . morale in face of death and destruction hurtling from the war raiders overhead. This, then, is the comfort and cheer which sustains the . . . people in their extremity. History records many instances of seemingly insuperable obstacles being overcome and victory won by those who were fortified by a deep spiritual belief and high resolve.

What was it the poet said? "Whose faith is firm, whose ken of God lies firm within their hearts; ne'er yet are numbered with the conquered."

[Paul E. Johnson, in the Christian Advocate, Cincinnati, Ohio]

How do we know that life will be victorious over death? What proof is there that evil will be overcome by good? The outcome is so uncertain that doubt would seem often to be the line of least resistance. Of all the answers that might be given, the best is this: Faith is the victory. . . .

Christianity is a victorious religion. A religion that rises out of a tomb is not easily dismayed or quickly put to rout. The religion of Jesus is heroic in danger, as demonstrated over and over again by the disciples who have caught the spirit of their Master. It is equal to every need, able to withstand temporary defeat. . . .

Joy is our Christian privilege. . . . Whatever the losses, there is always heavenly treasure where thieves do not break in and steal. Faith is the victory for every life whose faith endures.

[From the Williamsport (Indiana) Pioneer ]

In these days of turbulent thought, which tosses civilization from one false conclusion to another, one wonders just how much more stirring of the river bed of mortal delusions will be necessary before the channel will be cleared for right thinking and He comes whose right it is.

Eagerness to remain abreast of the times and the desire to obtain the true facts about world conditions prompt us to seek various sources of information, and the fullness of the day may crowd out for the moment a source of information that would, if given one half the attention and careful study arduously devoted to worldly affairs, solve every problem confronting mankind today, and lay up treasures, real and substantial, where moth and rust will not corrupt and thieves do not break through and steal.

We only need to turn for a moment from the ghastly scenes of world conflict and allow the floodtides of love to overshadow the blinding injustice of hatred, fear, greed, jealousy, revenge, and the pride of power, to become conviced that our only hope for peace and happiness lies in a greater knowledge of God and man's relationship to Him.

The late President, Calvin Coolidge, once said: "Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil. Our great hope lies in developing what is good." Indeed, our hope lies in a more enlarged understanding of the law and less admission that there is a force called evil which can destroy human hope and create fear. Prayerfully and open-mindedly we can turn to our Bible, attend and support our churches, and set a worthy example before rising generations who are yet much too young to comprehend the meaning of the upheaval through which we are now passing. . . .

Let us survey the mental field and learn . . . what is back of this turmoil, and then banish from mentality all that is unlike good. When this has been done and the channel of world thinking is again clear, we will then realize the good that was really done when faith alone seemed to be our only support.

"And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

[Hubert M. Harrison, in the Texas Tax Journal, Austin]

The power that may be released . . . by a few words of encouragement is one of the modern miracles we see all about us. The divine spark of inspiration still leads mankind to greater heights of achievement, when perchance we may be, as Robert Browning says, "stung by the splendor of a sudden thought."

Ideas still rule the world. Spiritual things are more powerful than material things. As a man "thinketh in his heart, so is he." Roger Badson, the business statistician, says that he was converted to religion by a study of statistics. The grim facts of success and failure point with unerring accuracy to the truth that a man's inner thoughts control his course.

The great lesson of this world conflict is the power of an idea. . . . We have seen poisoned propaganda undermine nations and render them impotent and helpless. . .

And yet, as we come back to the wellsprings of the faith of our youth, we know that no wrong ideas, no foreign isms brewed in caldrons of cruelty and hate, can prevail against truth and righteousness and democracy. We need not despair of Christianity and democracy. They have not failed. It is we who have failed if we have ceased to believe, with all our minds and all our hearts and all our souls, in old-fashioned Christianity and democracy. . . . We must believe in our ideology with more fervor than others believe in theirs if we are to survive. . . .

No power on earth can conquer us except our own false thoughts.

[Rev. Dr. John A. Mackay, in the Pathfinder, Cincinnati, Ohio]

God must have no rivals in the life of the people. Public life and government must be subservient to Him. This is no academic question today. Liberties we thought belonged to us without question are being challenged and repudiated in a multitude of places today. . . . The whole future of religion and culture is bound up in this undivided loyalty to the one God. . . . The god of mammon always stands between man and his church and God. Mammon is . . . worldliness, the love of material things, the pursuit of acquistiveness. . . . There must be no rival of God in man's soul. . . . Once man gives himself wholly to God, his reason has new data, new insight to work with. . . . The Christian religion is exacting and serious because only God can fulfill a man's life. Only by committing oneself wholly to God can one get beyond defeatism.

[R. Ernest Lamb, as quoted in the Star-News, Pasadena, California]

Simplicity, confidence, dependence, and unreserved love are the childlike qualities essential to give entrance to the kingdom of God.