Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 7, 1916

A Time for Calmness

THAT time is surely the present. If we look out into the great world of thought and action, we see much from a human standpoint to cause disquietude and anxious foreboding. It was fondly hoped that 1916 would bring a settlement of the great European war and the adjustment of many other national and international complications. But the year seems destined to come to an end with a more ominous outlook than that with which it began. While rumors of coming peace have persisted for months, peace seems no nearer realization than one year ago. Indeed, with the changed and changing conditions on the war frontiers, and with the advantages which each side of the conflict feels have been gained, it is to be questioned if it is in the purpose of any of the warring rulers of Europe to seek for early cessation of hostilities. The war apparently has settled down to a war of attrition and exhaustion, and the contending states are far from this condition at the present time.

As this state of affairs continues in Europe, new and increasing complications, as a result of the war, are occurring in nearly every country outside of the war zones. In the United States President Wilson, at the beginning of his second term of four years, must face some very perplexing questions both from a national and an international standpoint. The relation of this country to Mexico and to the nations of Europe, and the industrial situation in the country itself, which insists on assuming more ugly proportions than ever before, will greatly tax the wisdom of the present administration. Speaking of these conditions, the Washington Post of November 21 says:—

“The industrial peace of the nation may depend upon the developments in Washington in the next few weeks. There have been few periods so fraught with danger or demanding more skilful statesmanship.

“Not only the industrial peace of the nation, but the preservation of peace with foreign nations may depend upon the outcome of present deliberations. The Mexican situation is again critical. The Mexican commissioners persist in regarding their own country as the aggrieved party, whereas all the grievances which need a cure are those presented by the United States. Upon the manner in which the negotiations are handled at Atlantic City may depend the question whether this country is to remain at peace with Mexico or ultimately go to war.

“The submarine situation, while it has been discussed very little of late, nevertheless has grown acute.

“While these ominous foreign problems are pending, the railroad brotherhoods and twelve federated unions have reached a working agreement to fight any bill for the suspension of strikes during the period of public investigation, and report on the issues involved.

“The employers of the country, feeling that no concessions can be expected from the employees, are organizing. Class prejudice and class lines, instead of becoming less discernible, have become more marked.

“These problems that confront the nation affect not merely its present prosperity, but its whole future. It is a time when all patriotic citizens should discard prejudice and passion, and support real leadership.”

The child of God, more than the politician or the statesman, should keep calm in the stress and storm which are upon us. It is for him to look beyond the transitory things of this world, and fix his mind on the eternal realities. Among the warring elements which exist on every side, God is working out his great and eternal purpose. The message of his soon-coming is going to the world. A people is being developed from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, to greet him at his appearing.

Let us be calm and hopeful and courageous, for soon the dark night of earth’s history will give place to the glorious dawning of eternal day. While many of the conditions existing in the world today are deeply to be regretted, we must view them in the light of fulfilling prophecy, and dark though they may appear, as harbingers of the coming day. And we must not be content to see them in this light for ourselves, but must be diligent in giving to others a knowledge of the meaning of these things which are coming on the earth. Let us be faithful to the task to which God has appointed us.