THE SCHEME OF THINGS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 112, 17 November 1928, Page 14

THE SCHEME OF THINGS

(By M. It. C.) Many thoughts accompany Armistice j Day. They are recalled, with the halfafraid rejoicing, lest it bo only" for a', Epell for all concerned; with tho bitter regrets that it had not come sooner and saved the lives of these and those beloved ones for whom tho grief was fresh ami keen; with hope that the saying that "tlio "War was one to end war" was a true one —ami then the 'disillusionment that came when the foolish and undignified excesses that accompanied tho Armistice showed a nation' yet undisciplined and partially, civilised. All these things arc of thr past, and the intermediate time is interesting in a great many ways. Tlio pessimists arc full of talk about the decay of church-going, and the over license of the young people, the growing frequency of divorce, and many other lamentable things. - Tho optimists see a real and growing interest in religion, which in the present is not attached to church-going, but which may be in the future when the churches havo found themselves in a somewhat different.manner'to the present. Thero wore many, years ago, who prophesied that in a year or two-there would not be any memory of the war or of the sacrifices made, while others came out boldly and declared that the war should be forgotten. What was the use of recalling all those horrors and miseries? "Far better to forget all about them and make a fresh start" was the idea of a. section of the people. . Fortunately, the latter were a small. section, and fortunately also, those who prophesied the forgetting have been proved quite wrong. As tho years pass there is no forgetting. If anything, more people come along to celebration-and service. The fine deeds of courage and self-sac-rifice are recalled for admiration and approbation; on Armistice Day the Barnes of those who did not return are mentioned;' prayers and thoughts are sent to the•■''Other Side," - and who is to say that they are not appreciated and reciprocated? i.The war shook-the nations out of a deadly round .of money-making and. potty quarrels. No one, of the'ordinary people -outside officialdom,: thought seriously about war,'and except these-tlicrc. were very few who thought that war ■would come in- their time. But with, its undoubted horrors and miseries it brought a great awakening in a number of useful ways. -Women'in particular can date the beginning 'of a new era from the war. ' They are on the threshold of a liberty of choice which to-the' suffragettes, seemed impossible of attainment. .Wifehood and motherhood will always-.hold the first place in the estimation of the greatest number of women, and that is as it ;should bo; always supposing .that it is a free choice. and. Bot'"of necessity." In the old.days, when a woman had to be married, or else was a complete failure of whom her people wore more or less ashamed, the life of a woman was a very, poor thing. As a contrast to-day, ..tho freedom of choice.of a career lias made a world of self-respecting, capable women,, who, if married, aro more interesting and eflici- j ent, if they take the trouble to study marriage and its responsibilities ;.vnd treat, it as seriously as it should'be treated —for, indeed, it is the most difficult'business' Of all to liia'k'o ia success' of aud carry through well. The war beg.au tho new path undoubtedly, ami when both sexes adjust themselves to the new ideals happiness will surely follow. . Then what of tho future'? A good number of quite well-moahiiig and brainy people talk glibly and continuously of "disarmament," with special reference to tho British Empire, which the British people naturally believe usually "sets the pace" in matters of right feeling aud decency. Wl^ou there is any certainty that' all are agreed as to tho necessity and terms-of" a-great and general disarming, it is a -suro thing that tho British.spirit will be right, and the example.'.will bo good. In. the meantime it should be realised that a huge and important matter of this kind, involving so much, cannot be settled in a day or a year. ■ Steadfast setting tho face* towards peace, continual prayer, for 'help -towards changing the minds of the nations that still look to fighting to settle: their .disputes; education of the young' ones, not to a' "peace at any price attitude of mind, but to national understanding and real brotherhood within and without the Empire—these are the big things of tho future. The hope of those "favourable to general causes and their victory in •the future lies in their "cradle roll" undoubtedly. It is tho same with war; peace has to be built up in ithe course of years, and every person who works for it does right; but the foundations must be sound. Perhaps the words' of tho Epistle for the Sunday in the Church of England put the matter in tho best possible way, for they point out both a way and a warning, thus: "My brethren, be strong in the Lord and in tho power of His might. ' Put on th£. whole armour of God that ye may lie _not against flesh and blood,, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the "darkness of thi3 world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." The people aro told by tho Apostle to. take the whole ■ ar-' wour of God to enable them' to withstand the evil day, and. having done all, to stand ready to resist evil.' Truth,, righteousness, peace, faith, prayer, and attention to the Word of God; watching, perseverance, and courage in speaking—these' are all urged as mak-i ing the best preparation for peace a»») happiness. The message holds good to- j day, and outlines the most useful work ; for'tho. peace-makers to cuter upon for the .salvation of tho world in the fu-j