American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-12-23
CHRISTMAS BELLS.

When the Christmas bells ring this year it will not be as
ever before in all the years of all the men now on the earth.
Even in our own most blessed land, as those bells ring out,
their peals, erst so joyous to thoughtful people there will
seem to be a refrain of sorrow in their ring, even as when
marriage bells change to tolling for the dead.
For think of it! For nineteen hundred years those bells
have been rung, those carols sung, and the blessed refrain
has been, borrowed from the angel choir, "On earth peace,
and to Man Good Will"
AS the centuries have come and gone, with more and
louder acclaim each year, the anthem has rung out upon
the world, with ever increasing assurance have the words
of promise been spoken; with more and more ostentation
has the day been celebrated; with more and more elo-
guence have devout men pointed out how civilization has
advanced most in these lands where the cross has been
most revered until now on the wings of the ~lightnings the
messages are being carried and the perfecting press as it
tolls with every deep respiration, emphasizes the truth
that the highest grace is that which has grown out Of the
same message Of "Peace on Earth and to Man Good Will"
But now every echo from the old world is not only one of
violence, but it brings an impression that there where most
crosses have been upreared where most monuments to
Christianity have been raised where oftenest the message
of peace on Earth, and to man Good Viii" has been re-
peated, there with most fury men and nations are stamp
ING all the records Of good into the ground and from
their hearts have cast out every generous sentiment of
good will.
A year ago, the outside world, looking on, said: ut is
but a frenzy and will soon pass" But during the past year
that frenzy has seemed to ~crystalize into a settled hate
among those who are guiding affairs and executing the
bloody work, while those at home strain their eyes up
through the darkcned sky above them and mournfully
whisper to their own souls: "There are no answers to our
prayers"
Anu IntIt dlJ nt OnTlSJldS DclS VIII ne JOillUR DcllS anu
in lieu Of Christmas carols only dirges will be chanted.
The wisest straining their eyes, cannot see why the pres
ent scourge was permitted, why the stage was set, why the
terrible acts are being called. They only know that it is
naturess way when the air becomes fctted and a pesti-
lence is threatened to call up the cyclone to clear the air,
and they remember that while in the wake of the storm are
swept fields, shattered homes and dead animals and men,
the atmosphere is cleared. Is there any parallel between
that and the ~cataclysm that is now changing the face of
Europe and a part of Asia; where death comes from the
clouds and destruction up from the depths of the sea until
it almost seems as though another geological period was
"bout to be completed?
We cannot tell, but there are signs that the old claim
that a man is everything and the people nothing, is about
to pass; that the decree is about to be issued that all men
must have equal oportunities; that there are no divine
rights to mortas save those that come of heart and brain
that the men who fight the wars shall be consulted before
any wars shall be proclaimed and the humbest man shall
be free to do any legitimate thing for himself and for those
he loves; that when the earth was given to men to subdue
and occupy and enjoy, it was given to all men alike and all
are to take part in its government.
4 If this is in store for the children of men and to usher it
in the present great war was necessary, then the war will
have its compensations and it will not be so long until the
old anthem can be reawakened with a sweeter solemnity
than ever "Peace on Earth, to Man Good Will"
And the Christmas bells will take on all the old JOY in
their ringing and their acclaim will carry a deeper truer
hope to ~ankind-Goodw Weekly.
THE ACID TEST
Two thousand years ago man received from the Cali