The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1951-05-03
Editor, The Journal

Editor, The Journal
If I'may be allowed to do So
l want to express my warm ap-
probation for the thought-prov-
oking editorial by Geo. Peck on
"a time for prayer" It was
factual and challenging and I
feel sure that all who really love
America would say, Amen.
l. With the opening statement,
am in full accord. America was
indeed founded upon faith in
God. The early pioneers, who
blazed the trail, and laid the
foundations of government, were
men who had an abiding faith in
the eternal God.
This fact seems to be forgotten
by so many in our day, especial
ly by those who have made
materialism their God. Too many
have enthroned the God of mat
erialiSm in their lives and the
eternal God seems to be utterly
forgotten by them.
This trend toward secularism
and materialism is a strange con
trast to the simple faith of the
early pioneers. America was
born and fashioned in the mold
of vibrant religious faith. Let us
not forget our heritage of faith.
g Furthermore the statements
made by Geo. Peck, regarding
George Washington, Benjamin
Franklin, and their belief in
prayer and Divine guidance are
equally true. These men were
not afraid to pray and put their
trust in God.
Many of the men who have
been our Presidents and nation
al leaders have been men of like
faith, men who inspired fol-
loWership, men whose acts of
statemanship reflected a genuine
religious faith. In the face of
these facts, we cannot afford
either as individuals or as
nation, to relegate faith nor for
get God.
If ever there was a time when
we needed faith, when leaders
needed faith, now is the time.
If the great leaders of yester
day thought it essential to seek
Divine guidance and illumi-
nation, those who lead today
need to do likewise.
There is darkness and con-
fusion on every hand and light
and illumination from above are
sorely needed.
Furthermore when we think of
the crime situation in our land
when we think of the depotism
of so many high places of leader
ship and the utter disregard for
| the public wealth it would seem
that we need a re-dedicatiOn, a
new birth of old fashioned
American and Christianity.
3. In the concluding statement
by Mr. Peck, he presents a pic
ture of conditions and suggests
way to bring about an improve
ment. When a nation turns it
back upon the things that make
for honesty, decency, and the
general good, it will in time be-
come impotent and weak.
While we are threatened by
outside forces, we are also
threatened by vicious forces,
within our own nation, which if
allowed to go unchecked will
destroy us. Before we can save
the rest of the world, we must
first save ourselves and cast out
the enemy within, and to ac-
complish this Geo. Peck, has
clearly shown us the way. In his
closing prayer so heart-searching
and realistic he points to the way
of national salvation.
What prayer is it? 1t should
not only be offered by the
chaplain in congress but should
like wise be offered by every
preacher from every pulpit in
the land. When we all seek
Divine guidance, when we give
priority to God and our country,
as against self interest or as
against mere party politics, when
we can all labor unselfishly for
the good of our country and the
common good of all men, the
world over a new era will be
ushered in representing a
genuine government of the
people, by the people and for