The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-05-07
Just Chatter
BY BETTY BLANCHARD
Peace Begins With Charity

Peace Begins With Charity
 We had a very interesting chat this week with Mrs. Allan Upton, well known local .churchwomarl, about the establishment or world peace. Though the United Nations conference has been in session for several months and has been fairly successful in it's tremendous task of settling disputes which are now boiling in this hectic postwar era it would seem that people, neither in this country nor abroad, can place confidence in the ultimate goal of making e permanent peace. The first anniversary of the end of war in Europe will be marked to- morrow. The cessation of hostilities in Japan is almost nine months away. Yet 1t is obvious the general populace is still on the alert for the war drums and skeptical of the way to peace.
 We think what Mrs. Upton had to say on the subject is of tremen- dous importance because her pro- posal not only begins with the in- dividual but 1t strikes at the evil roots of war.
 Mrs. Upton Is chairman of the local. church activity group of the First Methodist Church and state director of the Christian Citizen ship of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. This is what she told us and we quote her.
 If we are to make any contri- button toward this goal of world peace, we must first examine oul own heart and see if we as 1ndivi- duals feel we are our brothers keeper, or in other words, believe in the brotherhood of man. An ef- fort should be made to offer ser ious thought to the problems and ask ourselves if we experience a twinge of conscience" she asserted ted. ..
 "Never, in my estimation" said the well-knoWn churchwoman, "W1ll we have peace-a permanent peace while men regard the result only as it is measured by the yardStick of monetary or selfish value Christian minds must be alert tc the challenge today-for they have never been so challenged.
 "Of course, I'm firmly convinced that a price will be extracted fol the true Christian attitude but surely no greater price than Jesus paid.
 '"The day has passed when one should be afraid to mention the fact he believes in the teaching o1 Jesus if we are to achieve free. dom from the wanton greed oi those whose worldly ideas of fi' nancial success drive them on tt jeopardize the lives and happiness of the peoples of the world.
 Though 1t is granted that com merce and trade are fundamenta channels through which countrie! find a medium of livelihood, i would seem that the principles ol honesty, and fair play might b' brought into being in these trans actions to avoid the possibility of war.
 ''Citizenship in the war is sim pie for its duties are clear ant definite. But citizenship for peac, Is far more exacting. There is toi much to learn. Surely we hay, learned the first lesson-that peace does not endure because well-nlean' ing people keep on saying, however loud and clear, that they hate wal and will keep out of 1t. Surely they have learned that peace is not { negative but positive state calling for informed action to solve prob lens so complicated and constan that ignorance is immoral anC apathy crime.
 In conclusion, Mrs. Upton said 'The knowledge of fact, the judg ments of issues, the expression O. opinion are the duty of each citi zen because the foundations of last ing peace rest not on arguments be- tween governments but on the sus tained will and action of the peo pie, who of necessity must hav' the Love of God in their hearts, o they will be unable to see beyont themselves. If peace is to last ever! nation must be put on Q sounc economic basis and the practice O neighborliness among sister nation must be on an immense scale" Their Aim Is Worth While
 The local Young Women's Christ. ian Association. Is in the midst o its membership drive, It is seeking new members. renewals of member. ships, and also is offering sustain ing memberships. The Y.W.C.A needs the backing of every citiEer of Waterbury. One of the most di' rely-needed organisations in thiI city until its establishment less thar a year ago. the Y.W!C.A. now has { membership of approximately 250' girls.
 The excellent work 1t has done during the past year cannot be over- estimated. Its short t-lived Influence in turning thousands of girls tC constructive phases of work and recreation is already widespread.