Evening star., 1940-02-17

writer's, who, as literary guides Of
Germany, had written much and
often concerning the place of free
dom in modern life; but they, too,
were mute. Only the church stood
squarely across the path of Hitler's
campaign for suppressing truth. I
never had any great interest In the
church before, but now I feel a great
affection and admiration for 1t,
because the church alone has had
the courage and persistence to stand
for intellectual truth and moral
freedom"
President Roosevelt's Christmas
call to all churches to rally for the
support of peace and freedom is a
recognition of the Masters teaching
that we must render unto God the
things that are Gods. Political lib
erty rests upon the foundation Of
religious truth. In these soul-tor-
turing times, men and women are
turning in thoughtfulness, as many
signs show, to the old, tested verities
OF Christian teaching. In its deep
est expression, the present war Is q
test Of this greatest issue. Totali-
tarianism always spells tyranny;
and under tyranny mems spirits
wear chains.
A Jolt for "Internationalists."
During the past generation our
brittle intellectuals" have had a
field day, in exploitation Of Inter
nationaliSm" and in derogation Of
their own country. Patriotism has
been proclaimed as a bourgeois vir-
tue, and something to be derided.
It has been hard to be patient with
these shallow detractors Of national
loyalty. Its an i'll byrd that fyles
its own nest"
A devoted patriot Himself, Jesus
challenges these loyal-less and over
vocal men and women by the clear
admonition, Render unto Caesar
the things that are Caesars" There
is high place for nationalism in
every true heart-a nationalism Of
life and death loyalty, yet suffused
with good viii toward all men. Little
Finland has been teaching the world
this fundamental lesson. China is
undergoing agonies to demonstrate
the truth of the pricelessness of
freedom.
1t is freely being said that the
present war will not end until all
imperialism has passed from earth,
and every nation, no matter how
small or weak, will be secure in its
own independence, and in the de-
velopment Of its own life.
In some degree everybody asks
himself the question, What is the
supreme good? What should I live
for? What is the great end Of life?
Why am I here?" There seems to be
more Of this sort Of soul-searching
going on today than for generations
past. Everybody is thinking. The
worlds mood is serious, as it is con-
fronted by the gravest issues, social,
political, economic, national.
This basic question was hurled at
Jesus, not in sincerity, but to en-
snare Him. Teacher, what is the
great commandment Of the low?"
Ut is to be remembered that the
Jews held that there were 6l3 COM
mandments, greater and lesser.) The
query gave Jesus opportunity to pro-
claim the supreme summary of all
the divine law, an adequate standard
and guide for everybody. It needs
not to be commented upon, only to
be memorized.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul and with all thy mind. This
is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
On these two commandments hang
all the law and the prophets"
The Sunday school lesson for
February IL is "Good Citizens
and Good Neighbors.
22:15-23:30.