Verhovayak Lapja, 1943. július-december (26. évfolyam, 26-53. szám)
1943-11-11 / 46. szám
Page 2 THE NEW ARMISTICE From the beginning of time the world has been engaged in conflicts of various kinds. If it wasn’t a battle over territory, it was religious wars. Human nature has not changed with the passing of the centuries. The only difference is that formerly men used crude weapons in warfare. They threw stones at each other, clubbed one another to death, or speared the helpless enemy. But today war is not fought as it was in the middleages. It is a more scientific game in this twentieth century. And then, too, the wounded man is given every care skilled physicians can give him to preserve his life. All down through the long dark centuries one word has echoed from men’s lips — Armistice. War-weary men have ever looked to their leaders to call a truce before their ranks were completely demolished. But belligerent powers prefer death to surrender, and sacrifice countless lives on the battlefields. They call their war a legitimate warfare, that is, war sanctioned by law or custom. When their nation was depleted of its youth, older men were called in to take their place. Only after a nation had lost its manpower, was a truce called, a mutual agreement between belligerents for a temporary suspension of hostilities; an armistice. Has any armistice in the past been permanent? Time has proved it has not been; for every generation witnesses a war between nations. Many leaders claim war is a necessity: for if it were not so, the world would be over-populated. In the last World War, millions of men laid down their lives, hoping to bring a lasting peace to the world.. The men who made the armistice, declared it with a firm belief that it would not be a temporary suspension of hostilities; they assured us there would not be another such catastrophe. The passing of time only served to show us that the Armistice of 1918 was no different from any other armistice that had been made by men in the past. For as time went on, this peace became endangered by aggressive nations — nations that had lost territory in the Great War, and wanted to regain their lost possessions. The leaders of the present aggressive nations do not remember the millions of lives that were sacrificed on the altar of war from 1914 to 1918. This incident has been as completely forgotten as though it had never taken place. These leaders did not give birth to children, nor watched over them tenderly in the days of babyhood, nor witnessed the gradual growth into childhood, and then to manhood. The parents shared the joys, the laughter, the little heartbreaks and sorrow with their children. They helped them solve their little problems; helped them with their studies. These aggressive leaders did not have the privilege of living under the same roof with a child, or experience the human contact, or know of the ties that bind together the members of a family. Since they did not have these privileges, they knew nothing of human affection, human emotion, or the warmth in a parent’s heart. Through some destiny they were deprived of life’s greatest privileges. Since these men knew nothing of human relationship, what mattered a human life to them? If one man fell on the battlefield, another rose to take his place. When he fell, there came another, and still another. The world hailed the Armistice of 1918 joyfully, believing it would be permanent. How the men at the peace-table failed to give us a lasting peace is realized today; for the world is engaged in the most terrible conflict that humanity has ever known. Once more nation is against nation, brother against brother. The tragedy of Cain and Abel is once more repeated. But this time it will not be as in the past. For when Armistice is made, we will see to it that it is not a temporary laying aside of arms, but an everlasting peace. We, of this generation, have inherited a condition of war; but we will make certain that we shall leave peace to our descendants. Verhovay Journal Harvest Festival By KATHRYN RAW This is a season when autumn lingers long, for there is a sense of impenetrable mystery in the air, and the radiance of the sun is everywhere. It is a time when seeds have matured into fruit; and I long for the power to understand what has happened to the earth; which a few short months ago was covered with sweet-smelling blooms; so changed now, grown mellow, but still fragrant. There is a spirit of fulfillment all around, for the promise of spring has been accomplished. The tiny seeds that had been carefully planted in the soil, have ripened, and a rich harvest is assured. From day to day, I watched carefully over the seed, but have not yet learned the secret of its growth. One day a small seed within the palm of my hand; soon after, a tall, green plant, with pods that contain precious vegetables. The trees are bent with the weight of ripened fruit, kissed by the sun. I see the grain, the tall, supple corn waving in the wind, the sorghum-stout, cane-like grasses, the sweet juice of which will be made into molasses; to delight the children, for they enjoy eating the dark-colored, honeylike syrup on fresh-baked bread. I can hear their voices now, their laughter running free, as is the way with children. I seek a quiet place, where I can study and ponder over the many miracles that have taken place around me. I can not help but mediate upon the plant life all around me; they have a physical existence, but they do not show signs of mental activity. A magical change has come over the world; and I, dull human being that I am, attempt to penetrate into the mysteries of nature, try to learn her secrets, her mastery over the laws that govern the universe. What is the alchemy used to change a ' seed into a living, growing plant? What elements does nature compound that bring about this mysterious change From what source did she take these elements—once invisible, hidden within herself, now made visible through some strange power of growth? Alas, how futile for me to attempt to comprehend such mysteries! But something within me compels me to examine the life all around me;! for plant life is interesting, almost as fascinating to study as human life. For the tiny seed contained all the properties of the full grown plant. It is a miracle that with the aid of sun and rain, the seed bursts and sends forth a plant through the earth. The ancients considered fire and water as precious elements, which they used in various experiments that led to many startling discoveries. Many of these secrets are lost to us today, but we can re-learn the mystery of fire and water; and like the little seed that is nourished by the sun and rain and grows according to law, we, too, can nourish ourselves with the mysterious fire and water the ancient philosophers STORM The wind came down the canyon And the snow was with it. No sun was in the sky, Only the wind and snow. The wind was blowing the snow in circles across the lake. Bending low the tall tops of the firs, Making the winter willows white with snow, And making sound Where there was none before. ELIZABETH MOWER November 11, 1943 LIBERATION r Lost on a mountain ridge, When he was small, He saw as cold, remote, and tall, The skies. He hid from other boys Long year on year, His chill, unconquered fear Of height. Across a sea, today, Without fanfare, As master of the yielding air, He flies. ELIZABETH CRAWFORD YATES DEATH ENDS BRILLIANT CAREER 0^ Dr. STEPHEN J. SOOS Mishap Occurring 8 Years Ago Brings Untim 'y End By RICHARD J. PHILLIPS Death’s icy hand struck a blow last week when the residents of this community learned of the tragic ending of the brilliant professional career of Dr. Stephen J. Soos, a leading dentist of this community and a Verhovay member of long standing of Br. 356. His passing away into the great beyond occurred on Monday morning, October 11th, at the home of his beloved parents, 763 S. Green Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Soos, who for eight long years had suffered the agcny of complete invalidism, was a life-long resident of Detroit and the west side and was greatly admired, much-loved and res;:;eted by all Hungarians. He was born in Sarud, Hungary, on August 8, 1904, and emigrated to this country when 5 years of age with his parents. He was educated here and after graduation from the Southwestern High School entered the University of Michigan from which institution he obtained his degree of Doctor oi Dental Surgery. Immediately upon graduation he Opened offices no West Jefferson Avenue, in the heart of “Little Hungary”, and engaged in the practice of dentistry, which practice was rapidly built-up and expanded. People soon grew to admire this ami ous and cultured young man whose aim in life was to serve lIs fellow Hungarians with all the technical skill, patience and sei -sacrifice at this disposal. It was on many occassion, too, that ha gladly gave his professional advice and service without r ompense during the dark, bleak and lean days of the depression. Then, suddenly, tragedy with a sledgehammer blew c. uck him down from which he never recovered and resulted in his untimely death. Laughter and gayety were present at the blackest hour of his all to short life, for on July 4th, 1935, while on an o. ng with some of his dearest and closest friends at a bathing beach, he made a drive into shallow water fracturing his fifth ceryical vertebra which resulted in paralysis. He was immediately pic. :d under the care and examination of the most brilliant su. g ns and orthopedic specialists in an effort to at least partially i_..toie his ability to walk or move about. Everything known to science was done but all effc-.s proved fruitless. For eight long years be was dilingently and patiently nursed by his dear mother and father, who during all th:se years fervently prayed to God that some miracle might yet happen which would spare their boy. But, the Creator would have it otherwise, and finally called him to Himself on October 11th, 1943. The residents of this community, members of the dental and allied professions, his many friends and acquaintances will all mourn him and will long remember the tragic finality with which he left us. Love that shall never cease; love that shall be remembered always is our tribute to him. May you find Peace and Rest in God — forever. spoke of, and allow our soul to expand and grow in the universe around us. Many may wonder where this fire and water can be secured. It can be obtained from Nature herself, by close study of the many secrets she has hidden within herself. When these mysteries are made known to the seeker, he will indeed participate in a rich harvest; for his life will be full of the abundance ‘that Nature provides to him who has mastered the problems of life.
