CATHEDRAL
WAR'S LESSON : The war has taught us how much easier it is to destroy than to build up. Historic buildings which have taken a generation to erect have been destroyed in a moment of time. It takes years of cart and training to bring a child to maturity and in a moment life is gone. By this we can see that our work for peace is going toiflemand even greater efforts and sacrifices than the efforts we made to win the victory.
110MES ; FAMINE : Vast populations have to be provided with houses.
prefer to call them homes because a home means a family and family life. No family is complete without children. The one desire of our serving men and women, on their release from the Forces, is to return home. It will only be by courage and perseverance that the home life of this nation and other nations, after such world-wide dcvasta.tion and destruction, will ,be re-established.
We have recently hoard of the threat of famine in many countries during the coming winter. As Christians we shall be unwilling to enjoy even our limited rations whilst others abroad arc suffering want and famine.
CENSORSHIP : Both in America and in this country, since the end of hostilities, censorship of press and radio has now been .removed. These should now be used to foster truth. True internationalism can be fostered by nations allowing their nationals to visit the outside world and to receive ideas from abroad. There should be a full exchange of ideas, freedom to pass from one country to another and freedom for the press and radio to speak the truth.
MICROPHONE
TWO MOODS : I wonder if you noticed any difference in the mood of the people during the recent celebrations of final victory and the earlier VE rejoicings ? I thought that I could detect a greater restraint and thoughtfulness not only in the people I met in the towns but also in the country, We have performed the major military operation of all times. We have employed new and daring methods. Wo have rooted out deadly growths which threatened the whole body of modern civilisation. But we remain doubtful whether our patient will be restored to normal healthy life.
THANKSGIVING : It is right to thank God. There are those who would tell you that it is blasphemous to thank God for military victory since God is the author of peace not of war. But I tell you that it is a Christian right and duty to thank God for our victory and deliverance. I declare that, by and large, the British people stood for the defence of human personality and liberty. Is there a single listener who doubts that an Allied defeat would have meant darkness over the earth ? Is there any enemy of Great Britain so blinded by prejudice and hatred as to deny that if the will of the British people prevails our victory in arms will be turned to emancipationfrom fear and want of men the world over ?
GOD'S HELP : We cannot pay lip service to God and His Divine Son and think that by this alone we becomc.a Christian people. No number of world conferences can engineer world peace without a humble sincere conviction that justice and charity among men are possible only when the rights of God are recognised as the foundation of all other rights and duties.