The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1915-02-05
A LETTER FROM LODGE

Editor Union Times:-It has been
some time since 1 have written any
thing for your columns. But l have
read with deep interest every issue
of the paper. l still have a deep and
abiding interest in all that contrib
utes to the upbuilding of my native
county, and am glad that the Times
still stands at the forefront of those
forces that operate for the general
welfare.
Here, as elsewhere in the world,
we have "war times" Our custo-
mers in Europe are fighting, and the
end is not in sight. There is no use
to mourn over the situation. We
must make the best of it. We must
| adjust ourselves to the vexed situ-
! alton, and 1 am persuaded that we
| will do so with that courage, and
| faith in God that has ever charac-
| terized the American people. Every
cloud has it's silvery lining, and the
silvery lining is prophetic of the
passing of the cloud. This cloud will
pass away as all other clouds have
done. Prosperity will return in due
time, and we will forget these dark
days in the light and glory of thai
which is to come. God still main
tains supreme control of the nations.
He who sees the end from the be-
ginning will see to it that His pur-
poses are carried out.
There are some things for which
we should be profoundly thankful.
One is this, that we are not as a
nation engaged in this conflict. That.
wisdom and foresight that guided
our forefathers in founding this re-
public so that there could be no
"entangling alliances" with foreign
nations is one of our present saft-
guards. The many miles of ocean
that intervene between us and the old
world, making us practically immune
from foreign invasion, is something
for which we should be thankful.
Then the fact that America is re-
garded all over the world as a peace
loving nation, and the fact that all
her acts in the past have been con-
slstent with this profession, places
us in most enviable position at this
time. Then we should be thankful
that our present government is in
the hands of men whom people can
safely trust. Then we have resour-
oA NAA o"ii ouAiSlSlI W sustain
us in any situation. We are at peace.
with one another and with the world.
Furthermore, we have a great re-
sponsibility resting upon us as the
only great christian nation now at
peace. We must live up to our IDEAL
We must show to the world, not SIM
ply by profession but by splendid
action that there is a more excellent
way. Every American should be an
active peace advocate. 1t is to be
our privilege to lead the bleeding
nations to an abiding peace. Mean
while, we should not forget that we
have our own perils-that the only
foundation for abiding peace is JUS
| tice between man and man and be-
| tween nations. The injured must
| cry out against the injurer, and if
there is not a peaceful adjustment
the resort to arms will finally follow.
So let us, without giving over to
despondency in the least possible de-
gree, adjust ourselves to the new and
trying conditions, and with faith in
God and good will toward fellow-men
let us enter the year 1915 with un-
| dimmed hope and with the just and
reasonable expectation that our eff
forts will be crowned with success.
| J. c.. Lawson,