Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-01
Tuesday, January I, 1918.
The Hope for This Year

( stern business has cast aside all the
frivolous customs and gay antics that
have characterized the observance.
in some of our larger cities. in other
years. Today is the beginning of a
Year perhaps to be most momentous in
history. 1t may be the most frightful
IL its carnage and suffering and world
wee, and it may be a year in which
the highest hopes of civilization shall
he attained. World peace, world
democracy, throwing down of the
burden Of war by all nations. and Of
the burdens of armies and prepared
ness for war, levelling Of the rigid
extension of spirit of friendship and
neighborlness TO all the peoples of the
world
OF course that is dream, and yet
It may be possible. for all things are
possible with God. And when this
period of greed, and lust and blood
'''oii po chueu, anu we Snall nave
I reached a higher civilization because
! or ii. the whole world may have cast
off, not only some of it's burdens Of
proof that might is right, but also
many Of its evil practices and follies
and indulgences. and we may have
actually established a new and better
arid rl,<
.and everybody has hopes Of better
social conditions everywhere when il
is ended
~ late. quite a remarkable series Of
predictions have come to public at
tention, most OF them from a notable
circle Of Christian men, who foresee a
speedy end OF the world. Their
prophecy is based upon a striking re-
spouse Of Jesus to the bewilderment Of
his disciples, when, they asked him.
saying. Master, what sign will there be
when these things shall come to pass ?"
and he said. When We shall hear Of
wars and rumors of wars. be not ter
rif1ed; for these things must first come
TO pass; but the end is not yet" ma
ton shall rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom" "Ye shall
: see Jerusalem compassed with armies"
4. And there shall be upon the earth
distress Of nations, mems hearts fail.
ing them for fear" "AND THEN
SHALL THEY SEE THE SON OF
NAN COMING IN a CLOUD WITH
POWER AND GREAT GLORY"
Charles S. Mcfarland. general sec
rotary of the Federal Council of the
Churches of Christ in America, says
OF these quotations that the interpre-
tation Of these Christian men is pre-
'isely what many thought In Jesus day
the coming of the Son of Man and
! the end of the world. The facts of
subsequent history showed that this
vas NOT what Jesus meant.
His prophecy was fulfilled the son
Of man did come with power His
coming in that power was not, how
ever, the sign of the end of the world.
II was the beginning of a new life in
the world.
History has repeated itself, and the
worlds struggles have ever been the
travail of a new birth. One of them
q ed as by fire. has emerged a better
purer world.
nix not that I came to bring
the earth; l came not to bring
sword" There are two
ce: that of outward smil-
ii inward reality. So.
contradiction in
aid in His last
the nest ~ is
seas today coh1D0eAck with mingled
sadness and hope. He enters into the
experience of the great psalmists. The
= same psalm consists of a dirge and an
oratorio. There is wonderful and
apparently contradictory contrast in
mood. They move on. with their
alternating notes, from the extreme Of
despair to the height of faith, the
sense of horror ever changing place
with the sense of hope. There is unity
among them in this. that their one
constant and unfaiiing. message is,
Hope thou IN God" They all end in
the same last resort. II is a wonder
fully vibrating, pulsating picture, full
of dignity. breathing sincerity. alive