Tárogató, 1943-1944 (6. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)
1943-12-01 / 6. szám
TÁROGATÓ 15 exhortation from the Chaplain. The American contractors on the southern section of the Highway are spread out along the way from Fort St. John to Fort Nelson, a distance of 256 miles. The Canadian churches regard the American civilians as their guests, and on his way through to the next Canadian “work-area,” the Chaplain visited the American camps. Over the 210 miles north-west from Fort Nelson, Mr. Amos travelled on a provisional schedule during the months of February and March, visiting the fourteen Canadian contractor camps, holding Sunday services at two of them and week-night programmes at the others. Mr. Amos has been appointed for the duration to direct the work among the camps, with three other temporary appointees to work along with him in covering the road more adequately. Here is a ministry which the Christian Church alone can give and the United Church has had a vital share in setting up this piece of frontier work. INTERNATIONAL HOUSE One of the friendliest homes in England, or in the whole world for that matter, is a boarding house at Harrogate where Mr. Dale is host to as many as fifty or sixty guests at a time. Since the war began he has given food and shelter and kindly hospitality to nearly 13,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the United Nations. Canadians, Americans, Poles, Czechs, Russians, British, Australians, South Africans, New Zealanders, Greeks, Dutch—all these, and many others, have slept under the hospitable roof of International House, and have made friends with each other. A pilot once remarked to Mr. Dale, “I raise my hat to you, and I will leave it to you in my will.” It was heartfelt, though frivolously said, as is the way of heroes, but soon after that he met his death, and now the forage cap of this gallant pilot is one of Mr. Dale’s most treasured possessions. Mr. Dale keeps a Visitor’s Book, and an amazing book it is, with signatures from scores of countries and notes of appreciation in many languages. Once a departing guest wrote, “I only hope this international book turns out to be the symbol of the future we are fighting for, and wTe will be building together after the war.” These words were written by a Pole. In years to come many who stayed at International House, Harrogate, will speak affectionately of England as the place where they learned how friendly this world could be. In such humble ways may begin the true Federation of the World. —Canadian Girl. PARADISE FOR NOTHING It is a hard economic fact that two sweep clean the central slums in the heart of a city and rebuild dwellings (not single houses, these, but modern apatments in tiers with courtyards, enclosed, Spanish style, with the backs turned to the street and their faces to the enclosed sunlit gardens, where the children play)—it is a fact, I say, that this would cost economically—what do you think? Nothing. All the labour and time expended would be less than the labour and time saved—in more efficient work and health. And financially it would cost—less than nothing; it would pay. —Stephen Leacock. THANKFUL FOR LESS By Mary Dale Muir Time was—and not so long ago—when, before we touched our meals, we all said “Thank you” to God for providing us with food. Today, according to Margaret Lee Runbeck, the custom is coming back in the States. Somehow she and her family once again felt the necessity of saying “Thank you” for so many good and pleasant things to eat. Not only that, she goes on to ted now the family went out to a friend’s for dinner one evening. As they seated themselves at the table there was an awkard pause, a feeling that something was lacking. Then one of the men said, “Guess we might as well say ‘Grace’. Seems appropriate these days.” Every one at the table, she felt, said “grace” in a different way, but all were thinking gratefully of the peace at home that allowed them to have good meals and eat them in safety and comfort. Perhaps having a little less food and finding that amount hard to obtain is good for us. With our tables piled high and our larders well stored, we forgot that God might not
