News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-04-28
BATTLES OF LIFE
Struggles for the Right That De-
mand Highest Character
and Courage.

triot, speaking of the social revolution
which he believed was impending
said: IF the doctrines of Christianity
could be applied to human society,
believe that the social problem coult
be got at"
There is no doubt that he wal
right. The early disciples were &C
cused of preaching a doctrine which
was turning the world upside down
Wherever Christianity has been fear
lessly and consistently applied, 1t has
resulted in a revelation. Il
Preachers and laymen have some
times made the mistake Of supposine
that the direct and immediate out
come of Christianity must always be
| peace. But Jesus also said: Il came
not to bring peace. but a sword >
| There's lot Of fighting to be done
in the name of Christianity. Some
times peace is more quickly secured
through a straight-out fight than
through a quiet and unresisting ac-
ceptance Of evil. And there is evil In
| the world, some very eminent and cui,
tured people to the contrary notwith-
| standing.
II Christianity is the red-blooded
thing that we say it is, then those
who profess to accept its philosophy
| and doctrine will stand up to meet
| the situation by which it is con-
fronted.
War is always to be deplored. but
| sometimes war is necessary. 1t is in
conceivable that a real man will
stand mildly by and see his children
slaughtered, even though he is GER
tain that he will be defeated in the
struggle. Wars are bound to come,
but there's "woe" for those through
whom these offenses come"
Worlds Real Battles.
But we are not discussing, just now,
wars between nations. There are
other occasions that require red
bloodedness and courage, and they
are worthier Of human sacrifice than
are most of the wars between the
races of men.
The advocates of war defend their
position by saying that if all strife
between nations were to cease it
would result in a weak, cowardly peo-
pie. They insist that the hardships
of war and the fighting develop strong
men of courage and character. But
such slaughter of our fellowmen also
develops the coarsest and most brutal
instincts.
There are other battles to be
fought which develop finer character
and more courage than can possibly
be the result of the wanton slaughter
of men, women and children. These
battles have to do with the giving of
life rather than death.
The fighting of these battles de-
mands a cleancut manhood and wom-
anhood, bravery which is rarely
found on the battlefield Of slaughter.
The soldier who goes to war is
cheered by excited crowds, and when
he returns he receives an ovation
that stirs the blood. And this is well.
l would not detract for a single mo-
ment from the honor accorded the
man who is ready to give his life for
his country, whether his country is
right or wrong. But here is a man
who is fighting for the lives of little
children in industrial life, for sanitary
conditions in factory and tenement,
for clean government in our munich
palities. What is his reward Usual
ly sneers ald sarcasm, often defama-
ton of character, always bitterness
and persecution.
Where True Courage Is Required.
1t requires more real grit to stand
up under such fire, year after year,
than it does to face the bullets of the
opposing army. There isn't much
cheering on such a job. Often it
means social ostracism. Soon you
will become known as crank" Those
who formerly were your friends will
turn to you a cold shoulder. There
will be temptation on your part to
become bitter in turn. Here is the So
cial workers peril. He may uninten-
tionally turn away many who might |
otherwise be retained as friends.
1t is in such a battle that one needs
all the grace that comes through the
possession of the spirit of Jesus.
When he was reviled, he reviled not
again. He fought his enemies in a
Straightforward fashion, but never
with bitterness. He sometimes used |
force, as when he drove the money |
changers from the temple, these men
who were making of the temple "a |
den of thieves" but Jesus, even when |
highly indignant, was never bitter.
He won through courage. He at |
tracted through personality. His |
slogan was life more abundant. He |
SO thoroughly believed in his great
task that he was ready to surrender
his life to accomplish it. All this was
not easy. 1t is likely that the agony
in the garden of Gethsemane when he
sweat great drops of blood was harder
to bear than the spear-thrust and the
driven nails.
And every worker for the people has
his garden of Gethsemane-the hours
that he spends alone, fighting for his
very life. These are the times that
try the soul more severely than the
final crucifxion.