THE WILL TO AGREE.

Northern Advocate, 22 October 1919, Page 2

THE WILL TO AGREE.

The Bishop of Peterborough is reported to have said, a day or two ago, that the will-to-agree is now in the ascendency as against a former willtodiffer attitude The spooch was made at an English reunion gathering of Nonconformists and ,Angli<'nns; but tho significance of the statement has n much wider application, and is indeed the rationale of the modern desire for a new orfler, with tho spirit of joyous comradeship in the foreground. Tho disruptive factors of elaborate emphasis of minor points of difference, whether tho issues be theological, sociological, political, commercial, industrial, or a question of administration merely, are

seen as enemiee to fellowship and progress. The present temper, in view of the admitted need for '' reconstruction '' is to search for the points of agrecmenr rather than to turn on the searchlight i'or details upon which differences are inevitable. The new spirit of chanting the praise of the good has the most ploasing after-effects of facilitating measures of reform, and of creating aa atmosphere of good temper and fraternity by which alleged differences seem to miraculously disappear. It is really remarkable how ingenious some unhappy people are to make a trifle appear as a groat fundamental principle, or as a matter of enormous importance. It in ! bad business to allow a physical, mental or spiritual dyspeptic to control any movement, or even to cast his depressing spell on any enthusiastic advocate of the will-to-agreo era now being bom. Ami this is not a matter lor the teacher or moralist; it is of vital significance to the whole community in its efforts to build anew the framework of human relationships as they affect the production and distribution of man's varied necessities. The will to agree starts with a sunny conviction that all, in essence, really desire to do the right thing for all concerned. It is the exact opposite of the older and dying attitude of suspicion born of selfish considerations. The will-to-agree will not allow formal adhesion to any set or party to obscure the larger issues involved, which cannot be monopolised by any one section, but which are included in part in all movements working for unselfish objects. The will-to-agree signifies a radiant, alert optimism that wili not permit the insufficiencies of an exclusive view-point to obstruct and discourage. It is the best possible start-ing-point for unanimity and the inevitable and effective adjustment of the many matters of current political importance. This attitude will naturally discover a ground-work for co-ordinat-ing the many seemingly opposite interests. Round-table conferences anci proposals embodying the varied viewpoints are as obvious as cause anil effect. The ill-mannered, small-ramged partisan who seeks to justify his rudeness and narrowness by pompous declaration of principle is out of date. The times call for practical legislators and leaders who shall give effect to the will-to-agree spirit in outer arrangements of convenience, comfort, scope, and real progress, in which none are forgotten.