(Continued from Page 1.) We have been particularly impressed by one characteristic feature of your excellent message: the vital spiritual contact with the thoughts and the feelinge, the hopes and the aspirenom of the masses of the people of those Wessex on whom more than others, and in measure never felt before, weighs the burden of sorrow and sacrifice imposed by the present restless and tempestuowi hour.
Also for this reason none perhaps better than we can understand the meaning, the revealing power and the warmth of feeling, manifest in this act of your Excellency. In fact our own daily experience tells us of the deepseated yearning for peace that fills the hearts of the common people. In the measure that the war with its direct and Indirect repercuesions spreads: and the more economic, social and family life is forcibly wrenched from its normal bases and is forced along the way of sacrifice and every kind of privation the bitter need of which is not always plain to all: so much the more intense is the longing for peace that pervades the hearts of men and their determination to find and to apply the means that lead to peace.
When Peace Dawns . .
When that day dawns—and we would like to hope that it is not too far distant—an which the roar of battle will lapse Into silence and there will arise the possibility of establishing a true and sound peace dictated by the principles of Justice and equity, only he will he able to discern the path that should be followed who unites with high political power a clear understanding of the voice of humanity along with a sincere reverence for the divine precepts of life as found in the gospel of Christ.
Only men of much moral stature will be able to create the peace that will compensate for the incalculable same flees of this war and clear the way for a comity of nations, fair to all, efficacious and sustained by mutual confidence.
We are fully aware of how stubborn the obstacles are that stand in the way of attaining this goal and how they become daily more difficult to surmount. And if the friends of peace do not wish their labours to be in vain they should visualise distinctly the seriousness of these obstacles and the consequently slight probability of immediate success se long as the present state of the opposing forces remains essentially unchanged.
Heedless of Momentary Failure
As Vicar on earth of the Prince of Peace, from the first days of our
Pontificate we have dedicated our efforts and our solicitude to the purpose of maintaining peace and afterwards of reestablishing it_ Heedless of momentary lack of success and of the difficulties involved we are continuing to follow along the path marked out for us by our Apostolic mission. As we walk this path, often rough and thorny, the echo which reaches us from countless souls both within and outside the Church, together with the consciousness of duty done, is for us abundant and consoling reward.
And now that in this hour of worldwide palm and misgiving the chief magistrate of the great North American Federation, under the spell of the holy night of Christmas, should have taken Such a prominent place in the vanguard of those who would promote peace and generously succour the victims of the war, bespeak/5 a providential help which we acknowledge
Fraternal Solidarity
It is an exemplary act of fraternal and hearty solidarity against the chilling breath of aggressive and deadly Godless and anti-Christian tendencies that threaten to dry up the fountain whence civilisation has come and drawn its strength. In such circumstances we shall find a special satisfaction, as we have already informed your Excellency, in according all the honour due to his well-known qualifications and to the dignity of his important mission to the representative who is to be sent to us as the faithful Interpreter of your mind regarding the procuring of peace and the alleviations of suffering consequent upon the war.
Recalling with keen joy the pleasant memories left us after our unforgettable visit to your great nation, and living over again the sincere pleasure that personal acquaintance with your Excellence brought us, we express] in turn our hearty good wishes with a most fervent prayer for the prosperity of your Excellency and of all the people of the United States.
Given at Rome at St. Peter's the 7th day of January, 1940, the first year of our Pontificate.