The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1918-10-30
CzECHO-SLOVAK NATION FORMED
THE AUSTRIAN FLEET Modified
ANOTHER GERMAN NOTE READY
CHURCHES REOPEN
ON NEXT SUNDAY
A Statement and Appeal from the
St. Johnsbury Pastors

For the past six weeks this COM
munity has known the shadow of a
widespread pestilence. More than
one-third of our population have felt
it's power, and many are still weak
ened by it's effects. Many homes are
saddened by the loss Of dear ones,
in some cases the families almost dis
rupted. Anxiety and distress have
been universal. Labors of love have
been abundant in caring for the sick.
Multitudes have a new sense of
bearing one another's burdens, J"
which is the Claw of Christ" Doctors,
nurses and volunteer workers have
toiled to the point of exhaustion in
fighting disease and in faithful minis
tries, and a deeper consciousness of
community inter-dependence has
been quickened. Moreover, we are in
the midst of the greatest war in
history. The strength of our young
manhood has gone forth to dare, if
need be to die, for the Right and for
Humanity, and some will not return.
The end is not yet, but we believe
new world is to rise, wherein shall
dwell righteousness, and fraternity,
and peace.
Stirred by these great experiences
men are thinking more deeply and
feeling more intensely. Discovering
with startling suddenness their own
impotence they have been thrown
back on God; they are learning to
pray; they see as never before the
supreme significance, not merely of
the body, but of spiritual realities.
With the boys who have gone into
service, we at home, also, are 'find-
| ing our souls"
What shall be the permanent eff
fects Of these great times? When the
pestilence has passed and the war is
over, shall men drop down again to
live selfish, Goddess lives? How shall
the strong impressions of these days
be made abiding forces? How better
than by rallying with new under
standing and deeper devotion to the
Christian church, which stands fol
the reverent attitude towards life; fol
the spirit of honor in persons; fol
the spirit of service in the commune
ty; for the truth for which our boys
are fighting, that, in all conditions
it is right that makes might; for pa
triotism and humanity and the
Christianity that Christ taught anC
lived; for the present reality Of thc
heavenly Father in every life, ano
for the deathless life beyond. VIZ
make no sectarian appeal; we en-
lphasize only the common needs=po:
men, and the common Gospel which
alone can satisfy those needs. W.
are sadly conscious of the failure O.
the church to represent worthily it
Divine Master, but the church can b.
only what you and other men maxi
it Therefore, as our churche!
again reopen for worship and service
the undersigned, some of the pastor
of st. Johnsbury, appeal most ear
nestly to all to rally to the church o
your choice, whether you have don
so hitherto or not; that you put you
best at its service; that you seel
through it to establish justice, broth
hood, and pure, vital religion anon!
men. so that, both now and whel
our boys come home, the Christ |
church shall stand for christian de
mocracy, for freedom for the bod
and the soul, for unselfsh love an,
kindness in all the relationships o
) men, and for such relation to Co
!; and man as made the manhood o
Jesus Christ so winsome and so com
5 pelling.
Alfred P. Grint,
George A. Martin,