Tárogató, 1942-1943 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1942-10-01 / 4. szám
TÁROGATÓ 15 as a whole: bewildered by the chaos and corruption of those days they saw in Roosevelt a solid rock on which they could rebuild. That fundamental confidence in his honesty of purpose has carried him through the inevitable vicissitudes to a third term as President. The presistent fight he has waged against the evils implicit in Nazism needs no recapitulation here, but it is worth while to recall what was his virtual declaration of faith in the historic speech he made to Congress in the spring of 1939. He then declared that three institutions indispensable to Americans were being challenged from abroad. Of those institutions the first was religion, and religion was in turn the source of the other two— democracy and international good faith. “Where democracy has been overthrown, freedom of worship has disappeared”, he declared, “and where religion and democracy have vanished, good faith and reason in international affairs have given way to strident ambitions and brute force”. This, then, is the man in whom the American people have placed so much faith, and for whom the British people have so much admiration. With men like Roosevelt and Churchill at their head the democratic peoples can march forward, proud and unafraid. (The Congregational Church Monthly.) REAL GENEROSITY By Ruby Chmon Real generosity consists in giving what we have. Henry Van Dyke emphasized this when he said: ‘Probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give.” “What we have, we hold,” is a starvation motto in regard to character development. We grow best by being generous. Most of us find it decidedly easier to give than to receive. To be able to accept simply and gracefully is an achievement in itself. Anyone who has had experience in giving knows how much easier it is to be generous than grateful. Aunt Martha was an excellent giver but a poor taker. Always eager to shower kindness on those about her, she shrank from receiving the smallest favour, never failing to make a fuss about it. We all have heard of men and women who insist that presents sent to them are “a waste of good money.” It never seems to occur to them that it may be good for the soul of the sender and that the matter is entirely out of their hands. Fortunately for many of us, one does not necessarily have to be witty or clever in order to be able to give. Being unselfishly interested in others and responsive to their needs is often more helpful than we dare to hope. To contribute interesting conversation at meal time; to do our part in company rather than sit in some comer waiting to be entertained, are simple but important ways of giving. During these strategic days in the history of our world, many who have little money are giving their time. One person we know, who is unable to go out, keeps the child of her neighbour two days a week, that his mother may help in Red Cross work. Of course, if we are blessed with money to give, many a cheque has made all the difference between hope and despair in the life of some other. We all have good intentions. Let them not die unfulfilled. “He gives twice who gives quickly.” For the sake of others, as well as for our own sake, let us practise real generosity. —“Onward.” BY THEIR FRUITS In Canada, as well as the United States, recent legislation has tended to make it easy for people to buy and use intoxicating drinks, and the main argument for this has been to prevent bootlegging or illicit sale of liquor. It is rather strange that the same kind of argument is not applied elsewhere. There are, for instance, a number of harmful drugs, such as opium and cocaine, sold through bootleggers, but no one proposes to open government depots or licensed premises where these can be easily obtained in order to counteract illegal sale. Everybody says, Make the laws stricter, severer. The real question is not the suppression of bootlegging, but what will promote the sobriety of our people and lessen the body and soul destroying evils of drink. We judge of legal enactments by their fruits. Are so-called moderate drinkers consuming less or more? Have any moderate drinkers given up liquor? How many drunkards have been reformed by the new laws? How many women have commenced to drink since their operation? How many young people? Are government sale of liquors and beer parlours elevating the general character of our people? —Onward”.
