The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-09-12
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
A Kitten in a Shell-hole.

He had been with his men and was be-
ing shown the lay of the land by a
comrade. There was the battered down
church where once the children of God
bowed in worshipful alteration of their
divine King. The bricks were being
carted away by soldiers to make in
Generators where refuse material would
be reduced to ashes instead of being al
lowed to breed malaria or any kind of
sickness. l wonder if it had been a
moral incinerator or refrigerator. If a
church is nowadays used to consume
the moral refuse, If it is truly moral
incinerator, it will not be very popular
with the world, and indeed. with some
of its own members. 1t would not be
amiss to call some of them refrigera-
tors. But let that pass.
ave will follow our informant, as he
entered the trench, and with him reach
the support trench, where we can look
over the parapet into mo mans land, I"
IohC q pCCP at LuC 0CLLudIl IIcHCIlSS,
and beyond that village it's intact vet
where the church spire points heaven
ward. though it is UNDECIDED. 1t seems
to say, in the midst of conflict and cruel
death, stoop! look! listen! Stop in your
awful career of death and destruction,
look to the heavens above where stitch
the King of all the earth and listen to
His message of love and mercy, Oh,
man, man, made in the image of God.
when will you learn wisdom and let
Him rule, whose right is it to reign?
Look at the mangled bodies, hear the
groans of the dying, see the mounds
that mark the last resting place of the
brave, behold the wanton destruction
of property, take glance at the dug
outs, they are forssken, battered, I'M
tenable by reason of shell fire They
were the homes of our boys what a
contrast with the old fre-sides they
left. Shell holes! What is that noise
that comes from one of the larger holes
1t suggests home where the NEW of
the cat is heard. Yes, the poor kitten
had found place of refuge In the hole.
Poor thing! What would be your
thoughts then? Doubtless the same as
were those of the chaplain and his com
rades as they looked on the creature
mutely imploring their help. They
thought of home. They never get
away from that thought. At least we
think so, for we would not. They
dream of home and the loved ones, as
we dream of them as we try to picture
their surroundings. 1t is said the men
in the army do not sing Home sweet
home" They dare not. 1t is too tender.
Emotions would be aroused that could
not be suppressed-the call it Blighty.
They tell US that a soldier when he gets
his leave for home, is like a school boy
when he enters upon his vacation No
wonder, for a man in the trench seems
as much out of place as a kitten in a
crater. He'll get out of it by and by
and come back to the old tireslde, for
home is bound to triumph oyer the
crater.
The crater speaks of war, but the
kitten of peace. One reminds US of
death the other Of life and life is bound
to triumph over death. Death is de-
destined to be destroyed. He is the
last enemy. We are tasting some of
the horrors of war. yet we know but
little of its real meaning. But the
boys on the front know. Can they tell
US? It's too awful to be told. it is be-
yond description. We marvel at the
GOODNESS and courage, the self denial
and cheerfulness, the devotion to
the wounded and sick comrades as
shown by the boys. These things shine
out like stars in the night. War is the
fendish crater but In it we see much
of human nobleness. How tenderly
they care for the needy. Look at those
fair young women. as they slip about
among the wounded, ministerlng to
them and giving bit of cheer, a word
of encouragement, tender stroke on
the feverish brow, helping the boys to
bear their load without murmuring and
with real cheerfulness. She wrestles
with death for the life of the ladies
for they are somebodies brother. or
lover. or husband. They make you
think of roses in the desert, or lilies in
the valley. She is the messenger of
mercy. Her touch reminds them of
mothers or sisters or sweethearts and
they are brave in suffering for the sake
of loved ones. They think of home, of
love and gentleness. Why is she there?
Duty, love! It's the love that will con-
quer hate and end war. Yes, cursed.
vile, selfish, diabolical war will end.
Munitlon factories will go out of bust
ness, swords shall be beaten into plow-
shares and speares into pruning hooks.
That time is coming. It's bound to
come for the word of the Lord has so
decreed.
Human hatred, selfshness, jealousy.
envy and pride will give way to gentle