The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-04-05


And comforters are needed much
OF christlike touch"
Nations
The interest OF the individual
should, however. extend 10 an even
wider circle-the nation. However
distant he may be from his coun-
try's capital he may be informed
these days by newspaper or radio
not only OF national but OF world
events. Today the thoughts OF the
individual encompass the world. Too
seldom do We recognize that world
affairs are only an expression OF
humanity's thoughts. Whether the
world is passing through what Is
called a crisis. or is for the time az
peace. these conditions are but an
expression OF the mentality OF hui
man beings. II today every human
being In the world we're 10 90 70
sleep for q week. there would be
complete cessation OF international
complications. Notwithstanding the
fact that not single thing has been
altered except that mems thoughts
had been stilled War Is a state OF
mind. The worlds state Is q mental
state. with mental cause, and re-
curing a mental remedy.
II you were asked today. What are
the causes of WARP you would not
likely say. guns. planes. and bombs
Rather would you say fear. greed.
pride. Jealousy. or hatred. These are
mental qualities. so the question
comes home TO each one OF US: Am
In any way contributing 10 the
causes OF war? Am ! guilty OF WARP
The answer 70 that question Is. II
am expressing such qualities. am
In that measure contributing TO the
causes OF war. In this connection a
newspaper correspondent has said:
Before thought OF this I could
complacently blame someone else.
and feel that could not possibly be
held responsible for what they did,
but now ! must set about putting
my own house In order.--a task that
will give me no spare time.
Guns. battleships. airplanes and
shells could cause no war n there
were no war-thoughts In existence
But while such thoughts continue 10
exist there may be wars. with sticks
and stones. even though all other
weapons had been DESTROYED Would
II not. then. be a great contribution
10 the cause OF world peace were you
and / 70 begin right now 10 eliminate
from our minds all war producing
thoughts? This Is not only within
our power. but It is one OF the most
practical contributions we are privi-
legged 10 make.
Because there are boundary lines
between countries they need not
necessarily bristle with bayonets. or
be lined with Notifications The
North American continent has
proved this Between the United
States and Canada there is border
line OF nearly four thousand miles
without Notifications or gunboats on
either side. These countries have no
need of armed defenses because they
have no fear Of each other. And they
have no fear because there is no III
will on either side. II differences
arise they are adjusted by an Inter-
national Commission. Moreover be-
cause the border is not lined with
forts. they have not an ever-present
temptation 10 test their armament.
Forts are an expression OF fear. and
fear is not a promoter OF peace.
Disputes over boundary lines.
especially between farms. have been
frequent In newly settled districts.
This reminds ME OF such a dispute
between two farmers some years ago.
II had been a source OF bitterness
and loss 20 both OF them for years.
Finally one OF the farmers decided
that he would obey Jesus admoni-
ton as recorded in Matthew Sal.
"Whosoeyer shall compel thee 70 60
mile, go with him twain" And
further ne determined that he would
no longer continue 10 harbor any III
will toward his neighbor. The next
day they CHANGED TO meet at the
line fence, and the neighbor again
demanded that the fence be moved.
Where do you think the fence
should be?" said the farmer. We'll"
said the neighbor. 1T is two feet on
my land at this end. and one foot at
the other, and l am going to move
It." "All right" said the first. while
you are at II. move II four feet to-
ward me at this end. and two feet at
the other" That Is. he told his
neighbor TO take twice the amount
OF land he demanded. The fence has
not been moved. but the bitterness
and the loss were ended
Peace between nations means
vastly more than a cessation OF hos
tilities, a reduction. or even a COM
plete absence OF armament. Peace Is
a mental attitude. It's companions
are frequently security and good will.
With q feeling OF security at home.
and good will among neighboring
nations, there will be no need for
fortified borders.
Emphasizing good will. Jesus said:
IF ye salute your brethren only,
what do We more 'han othersS do
not even the publlcans SOP Be We
therefore perfect. even as your
Father which Is IN heaven Is per-
feet" or. as DR.. Torrey has trans
lated the last sentence. BE there
fore all-includine Tin your good wilD
even as your heavenly Father In
cludes all"
This recalls a conversation heard
some years ago Someone asked.
Gould oil the people in the world
get into the state OF Texas7" The
answer given was. Yes. II they were
friends" People OF good will can
dwell peaceably anywhere.
In order 10 maintain an attitude
OF good will toward a neighborine
country we should ever be on the
alert to detect and dismiss any
temptation TO harbor national preju-
dice. On this point Mr.. II. @. Wells
IA quoted as having said. II am con-