DAY OF PRAYER.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 38, 3 April 1933, Page 5

DAY OF PRAYER.

THE DUTY OF THE CHURCHES. DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL BETTERMENT. (Contributed). Your publication headed "Day of Prayer" in your issue or March 31 lias everything to commend it to well meaning and thoughtful people, not only from its spiritual aspect but from Hi." economic as well. , ..

The laws of nature are the laws of God. and any means that tend to the broader outlook that all mankind is one great human family as taught by Christ, that their aspirations, v ideals, and interests are similar, what is detrimental to any considerable section of this great human family is detrimental to all, has only to be recognised by the majority and that recognition turned into action, then the world will make a fresh start, not only for spiritual betterment, but for economic betterment as well. We are gradually, but unfortunately slowly coining to this perception. Must Have World-Wide Outlook.

Economically-, if not spiritually, this wider outlook is forcing itself upon us. We are recognising that we must have a world wide outlook. The old sectional or national ;OUtlook must give way to this wider vision. Instead of being self-centred in our national views as we have been in the past we must recognise that nations whose boundaries are artificially set are only different sections of our great human family, that the inhabitants of these nations are brothers to the inhabitants of all other nations and that it is not only our duty but our interests to reasonably consider and help one another, thus bringing about that oft mentioned and desirable consummation, the brotherhood of man. The evolution of the human race to betterment, both ideally and economically, is moving apace and let us hope and think the present slump is a means of accelerating this betterment. Mankind is discovering and applying the forces of nature so as to render this betterment possible, but as yet has not found the means to apply his discoveries effectually.

By the application of these discoveries we are enabled to practically annihilate time and space, and, instead of straining our backs with the burdens of daily life, and overtiring our energies -with the strain of ceaseless effort to supply our wants, we are in a great measure passing them on to discoverer] and applied natural forces and in so doing increasing ten-fold the products of manual labour. As these discovered natural forces are the heritage of all, all should benefit therefrom, but we have yet to learn how to apply them in such a general and world wide manner, that each individual shall share these benefits as he is entitled to do. When the recognition of that human brotherhood that is being economically forced upon us has sufficient world wide recognition we will mutually eradicate artificial national boundaries, we will level down all barriers to trade and commerce, produce from each part of the earth's surface and climate such products as best fitted each part to produce and freely exchange such as are called for by our requirements. We shall no doubt in time evolve a satisfactory means of promoting such exchange. We shall then have no willing workers without word to do. eliminate poverty, put an end to wars and provide every individual with more time to cultivate his mental faculties to the further betterment of the race Of man. Starvation in Midst of Plenty.

At present we have the awful spectacle of a world of general plentitude more so than ever before, with millions denied the necessaries and comforts of life and this with no will or wish that those millions should be in such a state, but with our sectional views have erected artificial barriers that have brought them to such conditions and keep them so. We have tried and are trying various palliatives to improve their conditions, but as we fail to recognise and employ natural means our efforts are abortive and ever will be.

Then let churches and states pray for and inculcate their peoples with this better knowledge and wider view, that, the human race is one family, should be united with the family bonds of fellowship and good feeling and in lime our slump both spiritual and economic will be gone for ever.