Tárogató, 1950 (13. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1950-07-01 / 1-2. szám
16 TÁROGATÓ enough to denounce and condemn Communism. The positive hopes and ideal of democracy must be blazoned forth with conviction and enthusiasm. Mr. Pearson adds that it is necessary not only to re-affirm faith in our ideals but “of our intention to practise them.” Democracy has always held that man has an indeniable right to worship God as he desires. That right is denied certain groups right here in Canada. Do we really believe in freedom of worship? Or is it just a phrase to be glibly spoken and openly ignored in practice as in our French-Canadian Province? Then, too, every democratic country maintains that freedom of speech is a foundation stone in the democratic structure. British people have boasted of that. They have prided themselves in the right of any person to express his views without fear of persecution of intimidation. Yet when the Very Rev. Hewlett Johnson, D.D., the Dean of Canterbury, attempted to speak in Hamilton, Ont., he was pelted with eggs and tomatoes. For the first time in his life he was unable to finish his address. The irony of the event is that the clergyman was pleading for peace. It has been the fond claim of democrats that Christianity is the basis of democracy. If that is more than a shibboleth to be mouthed over, we must take it seriously, affirm it boldly, and practise it consistenly. Then we may recapture the loyalty of those who, today are feeling after satisfaction and seeking it in a godless philosophy. ABOUT OURSELVES One hundred and twenty years The United Church Observer and its predecessors, The New Outlook and the Christian Guardian, have served the Church and the Canadian people. The Christian Guardian was born in strife in 1829. At that time, there was no paper, no periodical to champion the cause of the people and to raise its voise against the iniquitous Family Compact and Clergy Reserves. A determined effort was being made to establish a State Church and to get control of higher education by one religious denomination. The Methodists, few in number, bought a small press on which to print a paper that would champion freedom of religion and freedom of education. Egerton Ryerson became the editor, and, under his wise and capable leadership, the battle was won. Four years later, “A Depository of Books” was established. From small beginnings it has grown to be one of the greatest Publishing Plants in the Dominion. The Church put no more money into the firm; no more was taken out. Profits not needed for the business have gone into the Pension Fund for ministers, their widows, and children under eighteen years of age. All through the years, the Church paper has lived in the spirit of its founders. It has been in the thick of the fray all the time. It has battled against concentration of power and privilege; it has fought for social justice and for every good cause. It has sought not only to reflect the official position of the Church but to appraise it; not only to follow but to lead. The Church has wisely never hampered the Church paper in the expression of its views. It has had to be subsidized by the Publishing House, but that institution has never exercised editorial control. With changing tastes In the style of presenting news and views, The United Church Observer has kept pace. Ample use of pictures and vividness in presenting news and features marks the Church paper of today. The time has gone by when a Church paper should be sombre and heavy. The Church paper has now the largest circulation in its history, but there is no calculating the influence which it would exert were it going to every home regularly. Its varied intellectual and spiritual diet meets every need. From the Straits of Belle Isle, the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence waterways system extends inland for 2,225 miles; about one eighth of the distance around the world at the latitude of Cornwall, Ont. The western end of the system in Canada, at Fort William, is at the very heart of the continent, nearly half way between Cape Breton and the Pacific.
