The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-02-04

lions OF men are living today with the
passion to kill or MAIN their brethre n.
1t is not 80 astounding and terrible after
all that atrocities are committed which
make the blood boil-they are but one
result of living in the moral and spiritu-
al atmosphere which war develops, and
you do not notice how almost unconsci-
ously, even our own souls, far removed
from the scene of conflict, are vet being
somewhat blighted by the existing con.
ditions. In time of peace we shudder at
the loss of the Titanic, and talk of it for
days, being greatly distressed, but today
the destruction of British or German
squadron does not awaken any such con-
Germ, even though the loss of life is much
greater. And we are becoming almost
calloused to the tremendous toll of the
dead on the battle lines. War with its
deadening blight is thus dulling the finer
sensibilities of the people everywhere.
But there is another side to the story.
The conflict is also bringing tremend-
GUS awakening to the thought of brother
hood. A great feeling of sympathy for
starving Belgium has been aroused here
in America, and is taking tangible form
in the relief ships being dispatched with
provisions. The splendid contributions
of money, surgical and medical necessi-
ties and comforts for the soldiers-the
kindly thought for the children which
prompted the Xmas ship laden with gifts
all these things are showing that there
are no barriers between US when human
ity calls-that when cry of the op-
pressed is heard, when there is suffering
or sorrow or distress anywhere in the
world, men are more than Americans,
Brltains, Germans or Frenchmen, but
that we all belong to the great brother
hood of humanity. Our brothers. need
simply becomes his brothers. opportuni-
ty. After the animosities developed by
the war have been forgotten, the good
deeds done in these troubled days will
still be remembered, being as a bond
to draw men of many nations into a
deeper fellowship. That is one of the
fine things about the good-it abides for
ever-evil, at its worst is but transitory.
There has been a commingling of the
nations in this strife, which will SURELY
have its effect upon the world From ali
over the seven seas Britain has called her
native troops to aid her. From Africa s
plains France has brought her dark
skinned troops. The black man, the
brown man and the yellow man have
fought side by side with the white ms n.
What breaking down of race prejudices
there must be because of this fact-what
larger contact with Western ideas with
Christianity, Britian's Indian troops,
Frances African forces, must have and
how much they will do for the dissemln-
alton of these things upon their return to
their own lands. Life must be larger
and broader for them because of these
experiences, and they will be heralds of
this broader vision to their own people
upon their return. | do not think we
can begin to measure at present the in
huences that are to be set in motion
through this bringing together of the
races to battle for common cause
Some men have tried to tell us that the
war is an evidence of the failure of
Christianity. 1t is more truly an evil
dence of mans having failed to measure
up to Christianity's standard. But even
now, amid the storm and thunders of the
battle hour, one may see the faint blush
of the coming of the day of peace, when
the "cause of might" having been over
come, the "cause of the right" will go
on to victories of peace more glorious
than those of war. because they are
founded upon the spirit of brotherhood,
the spirit of democracy, the spirit of
freedom. Amen.