OCR Text |
Show . J DESERET EVENING NEWS SATURDAY DECEMBER THE SEASONS BEST WISHES. r seem s but yesterday since The Christ-ma-s News of 1916 was wishing ; its readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year., Time, indeed does gallop with all of us these days, when its flight is measured, not by hours and minutes, but by the tremendous events amid which we live. In spite, however, pf the gloom that overspreads the nation, and the clouds that hang over so many households, there is still reason for ihank-- fulness for a boot of blessings enjoyed. Let everyone therefore, summon the spirit of Chrisimas cheer, and do what he can' . to shed some sunshine on the patha of those around him. If it is possible, let the war be forgotten, and yuletide greetings and exchanges of friendship, take its place, even though it be but for a little while. - The best Christmas wish The Deseret News has for our own community is that, the cause of friendship, love, mutual help- fulness, and of sacrifice for the furtherance of the great . cause, may go on grow ' ing apd spreading, and that the high place Utah has built for herself before the nation may be firmly held and advanced . higher still , The record of the state for 1917 is almost made up, and on the whole it is one ' of prosperity, in spite of the many draw- backs which have attended business development. Something of the progress Utah has made during the past year is reflected In the columns of the Christmas News. We submit the compilation of facts for the consideration of our readers, and trust the showing may be one which all may view with gratification. The Deseret News takes this opportunity of extending to the public of Utah and the adjoining states itsappreciation of the generous support which has enabled it to maintain its stand as the champion of the people, and to express the hope that it will be found worth jrof the continuation of the support always so loyally extended. The paper in a few months will reach its 68th anniversary, and we feel sure it will be interesting to its friends to know that imposition was never stronger than ; at present, and that the outlook is full of -. promise for a continued career of usefulness. , I1, 7 . RELIGION AND WAR. the affairs of men after this period of affliction is past , In the miseries to be relieved, the distresses to be succored, it will become a reality such as the whirling mod- era world has not hitherto known. - heart-searchi- ng ' Hate; ' ; Bethlehem, hard by the gates between the kaleidoscopic, esoteric Orient and the aggressive, materialistic Occident, has ever been a city of color and contrasts. For nineteen centuries eyes and hearts Of the Christian world have turned at every Christmas season to the little town nestlingamong JudeanhiDs. Bethlehem has know the panoplied legions of the worldruling Caesars, executing cruel infanticide decrees. It has witnessed the simple ceremonies of early Christians ; has heard the chant of pilgrims, and the orisons of Crusaders, exalted by religious fervor and wearing over their glittering mail the Cross mark of devotion to a cause that failed. Deep piety and unbounded love has Bethlehem seen and narrow intolerance and deadly hatred; prophecy and fulfillment and false prophecy, fanaticism and degradation. Now again the Cross holds sway, though the Star and Crescent may still gleam beside it. Christian and Moslem have joined hands to drive out Moslem and Christian. Orient and Occident are allied against an unholy alliance of Occident and Orient. Not a common religious devotion has bound these new hosts together, nor do they unite in prayer, and The world safe for democracy hymn. is their cry; freedom and "lasting peace are on their lips and Down with militarism and butchery is the thought in their hearts. Many long eventful centuries have passed over Bethlehem since a prescient He hath shewed Virgin Mother sang; strength with his am; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. Many eventful, crowded centuries And tonight the star that shines in the East is not a guide to the manger-cradl- e of the Prince of Peace, but perchance some brilliant hued illuminant'that glares forth a war message.. Yet these-metoo, say they seek peace lasting peace! Bethlehem, since that first Christmas, ' was ever a Christmas like this? Bethlehem, Mother of Christmases, what can these- - things mean ? - 4- - ' ' - ' " The surgeon makes it when he cancer, grapples with an hideous and terrible; the humane guard as he battles to subdue a maniac whose violence is dangerous; even the wise and loving parent as he punishps tq discipline an incorrigible child. There is no bitterness, no spirit of vengeance here; only stern realization that the job must be done. If bitterness is allowed to grow in the American heart against the Germans, it will rankle there for a hundred years. In the days when peace has come it will be only a partial peace. Within the breasts of millions yet uhborn the poison will spread and Inevitably there will be conThen the stant unrest and irritation. great cause for which brave men fought and iied jrilLbe only half attained. Vic- tory will be twice as sweet, and' the triumph twice &s glorious, if it can be ac-complished without this heritage of hate. possible- -. ever-spreadi- t THE DAY OF REST. Biblical doctrine of a one day in every seven was just in a fair way of gaining universal and enduring foothold when the great war burst upon the world and demoralized everything. On the farm no less than in THE the city the idea was being accepted that the toiler, whatever his calling or vocation; was entitled to this weekly respite, and public welfare organizations of any and every name were striving for it with enthusiasm. Naturally, the clergy favored it, because it gave the church a better chance to make its influence fflt among, mankind. .The philanthropist supported it no less warmly, because it meant better living conditions, social improvement and higher, happierstandarda of- life. Even the employer and efficiency expert indorsed it because it meant more capable work and less discontent And of course the workman favored it whether or not he was always able to derive the utmost benefit from it by enjoying it in the best ' way... Suddenly all the old evils of overwork, nd in many respects greatly aggravated, were precipitated upon the working world by the exigencies of the war. On battlefield as well ss in mine or munition factory, Sunday or any other day of rest appeared to have lost its meaning. The struggle, of whatsoever nature, became as unceasing and exacting as time itself with little respite for the weary, day or night. A time of exhaustion with threat of , collapse was inevitable, and, it was averted only because the high authorities detected the symptoms and eased up in their demands. Then it was found that in the long run the intelligent workman could do more work and do it better in six days than tn seven; and by the same token it was "proved that In a reasonably limited number of hours he could achieve more and better results under nprmal pressure than on a longer tour which degenerated Into a benumbed drudgery. The human machine Is not constructed to be run all the time at high pressure, nor to be subjected to an unending grind. - NO' ! : Sing, Chrietmae Belle, ring 'td mans hate ' thall cease! Ring Chrietmae Bells, til- Love shall bring ns Peace 1 'Alfred Lamboubnb. - ed s And mankind wondm at hie unknown fate. The Chrietmae Chimet again their meeeage tend, To thaee bleak trenches where the - loved ones lie, Where eoream of thell and shrapnel awful blend, And mangled men coll on Christ' t name and - 1 e. balance - with-measure- black-frock- of nations in the hmnge. iig dty. I peeege, death-dealin- - . The etrength . 'will assist those who are short, and pro. viding further that ways and means of transportation and distribution between the source of supply and the point of demand can be kept open and employed. the Divine law, thundered from Sinai,-snRESPECT OF POSTERITY. repeated through all the ages, commanding the day of rest which should be ICERO was a pagan; whether he had an adequate conception of the kept holy; In the which not only "thou ghalt not do any work, but the same Inmortality and future identityof the hibition is applied also to thy son, "thy human soul is uncertain.' But he felt the deepest concern as to, what posterity daughter, thy manservant, thy maidservant, and even to thy cattle and 'might think ef him. Such a sentiment is man can cherthy stranger that is within thy gate. , one of the loftiest that any and trial is a stress of time a ish, and in are When we MAKING DUTY A PLEASURE. faring issues 'great support ' that are destined to affect posterity for weal or woe itgis well to pause and ask, many blessings come to any NOT as a result of war, but one of WiH they blame or praise us? It will greatest that can come to the nerve us for the call of duty. United States out of the present struggle The sentiment of Cicero must have inwill be the learning of the lesson of thrift. , spired the hungry, ragged, barefoot, suf-by the people- - The habit of - voluntary fering martyrs to the cause of liberty who iiaving for a cause in which one is inter- ' spent the winter on the bleak hillsides of ested soon ceases to be in any sense a ' Valley Forge.,, The cause they fought for sacrifice and becomes an actual joy. More- - looked forlorn, but measureless results for the good or ill of all humanity depended over, the objects attained by such a pro upon their perseverance in its support . cess are always more appreciated and put to better use. The education that a young Their Christmas was a bitter one, but by mad is permitted to get only through the their fortitude they made the whole careful use of his mean! and time, and world debtor to them. What does posterity on his own or his par- - think of them? Ask any American who through ents part, is usually far more serviceable r can trace his lineage to a veteran of Val and is certainly more highly prized than ley Forge. He glories in his descent as that which the youth With plenty of money he would hardly do were his ancestor a and abundant leisure finds spread before king. him, to be taken or left at his convenience This Christmas finds Americans fight-in- g or inclination. No person is ever hurt by for the same ideals that inspired the sacrifice for any worthy cause, nor, when veterans of Valley Forge. If we follow the prize is won or the cause is triumphant, their example, posterity, will think of us is the sacrifice recalled with any other as it does of them. But this means sacrifeeling than pleasure .and proper pride. fice, perhaps an awful sacrifice, before , As a nation, the United States has the end is reached. Small or great, howscarcely an idea, as yet, of the meaning of ever, mild or terrific, that sacrifice must the word saving, but we may have to be mnAo For this republic td recoil nd learn it undeF cohctifions far less pleasant fad, and thereby yield the world to autocthan if we make them ourselves. The racy, would bring upon the present generhumblest of us dan do something, and aU ation of Americans the contempt of sufof us should be prepared to do everything, fering, enslaved posterity. , in the cause to which our country is now Tie Deseret New bope its patrons will pledged. A good resolve with which to make decision Spirit ef 1917 new is old close the and open the year that the its ef thistoChristos"Theissue; sad In this keynote he who is thrifty will be mare thrifty, and connection it is pardonable to inerts their attenhe who is not will begin at once to learn tion again to the thrilling picture on the first how to become so. page, illact rating one incident of the memorable day when Utahs splendid artillery regiment is Where ravage thovt if heard, the Hymn of of a multitude of the heavenly host, but the whir of a squadron of g aeroplanes breaks the solemn stillness of the Oriental night amid the hills of Pales- tine. War is The message they seem to but on earth peace, goodwill toward men. Foreigners march tread where once the tribesmen went to be taxed, everyone into his own one realizes that nearly all now at deadly grips themselves as tnfiy Christian, one must needs experience perover the plexity and and love of of a peace, religion anomaly made thus subservient to the passions of hate and war. To the skeptic and the scoffer, the situation seems to demonstrate that Christianity has lost all vitality, that it has ceased to be the source and synonym . From their ' of charity and viewpoint, it has, as a national asset, been shorn of all credit during these three terrible years. They argue that those nations which most strenuously claim it as their particular possession and bulwark, and by whom its name and graces are most reverentially mouthed, are themselves guilty of the grossest impieties. They declare, in short, that as an inspiring, sua- taining force it is a faflure. TRIUMPH TWICE GLORIOUS. But the believer will courageously - combat this find can abunand reasoning doubt must be entertained as to dant cause for his renewed and greater outcome of our war with Gerfaith. Some conception or yearning for true religion and undefiled is still a vitalmany. To doubt mean in . some izing thingjin the hearts and lives of mfl- -' measure to weaken, and the objects of the lions. The dreadful scenes with which the conflict are o important, so vital that eye and ear are daily assailed are per- .there must be no faltering of purpose. mitted 'for reasons which to the finite ktory is our goal victory complete and mind may be darkly mysterious, but unqualified. But there should be no bitterness in Christianity has neither caused them nor does it applaud them. The Christian our hearts. Determination, yes, but no takes heart of hope from the sure knowl- deadly hate. For hate engendered will reedge that Providence is over &IL He act on us, clouding our vision and pollutcherishes this faith in the supreme hour ing in a way the high ideals for which we in the trenches and on the sea, as well as took up the sword, A righteous war must while watching and waiting at home and not be permitted to breed unrighteousness.' bowing to losses that wring his very soul This does not mean leniency for the . He is buoyed up by a confidence and hope foe nor commiseration for his guilt Hard that none others van enjoy.And he has" " Wow niust be struck, with resolution grim this great comfort, that faith and religion and unrelenting. But should be acthey will assuredly become a better, purer, tuated by no motive and feeling other more helpful and more practical thing in than the doing of good. Srfch a fight Is WHEN nations f CONTRASTS. City of David, where the BETHLEHEM, was born saw it like this? ever a Khaki-cla- d soldiers, fair of hue, travel the paths where the dusky Magi rode on richly caparisoned camels laden with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Not the song bring-r-anythi- Every economic and humane consideration demands that Ha proper limitations be respected. Its conservation for the utmost usefulness "and happiness be provided. Besides and above these reasons there DEO VOLENTE The Chrietv M4 Chimes proclaim Hit Day f . ; When Europe lies beneath the winter enow; The blood-etaimark the whiteneee of the f feertk, Where oannone roar and buglet wildly blow. And amntleea heroet fall in death t thorp 191? 22 Gi - self-deni- al - . - se worlds crops for 1917 are and it is now possible to arrive with s&ne degree of accuracy at the figures which, represent the supplies that will be' available for consumption in what is called the cereal year 1917-1Briefly summarized, these figures show that the seasons yield of wheat .throughout the world is slightly below that of 1916 in the aggregate, while it also marks some deficiency" when broagbt averinto comparison with the The total yield of rye is relage 1911-1atively better than that of wheat, though again slightly below last years crop, as well as below the average for the quinThe same applies to barley. quennium. These are the gloomier aspects of the pic-- ture. . But It has another side. In oats, the showing is much more satisfactory ; there has been an increase of 16 per cent over the 1917 crop, and an increase of 16 per cent over the five-yeaverage. In corn (or maize, as the European statisticians call it) the figure is still better; it is 25 per cent above the yield of 1916 and 15 per cent above the five-yeThe average. potato compilation is not yet completed, but enough is known to warrant the state-. ment It is an improvement over 1916 and that the U. S. yield for this ye&f Is more than 60 per cent over that of last year! Uncle Sams corn and potato crop' has amazed, and could go far toward feeding, inarched through the streets of Salt Lake (Sty. The photographer happily caught the parade when the infantry escort from Fort Douglas was making the torn and squaring away for the march down Main Street; and he fund his lens accurately for the exact instant when the Colors wen- being borne past the Pioneer Monument. The Utah Artillery in whose honor the escort was furnished was at this moment farther bock on South Temple street, the right of the column being in the vicinity ef the Eagle Gato another historic landmark of the city and state. The whole occasion was deeply hnpitssies and will never bo forgotten. It truly breathed the Spirit of 191T," which The News has frit it appropriate te and rennwemorste. THE harvested 'and threshed, 8. five-yea- : r" nr 5. ar ar -- the world. . So that, finally, the earth has produced, during the year row dosing, slight-- , ly less of wheat, rjt and barley, but considerably more of oats, eon and potatoes than during the year before. Broadly speaking therefore, then need be no tmw lne anywhere. There is food enough for afl, providing those who hare a surplus J V " - A 4hrisia of Filipins soldiers, 20,000 strong, ha bee offered to the United States for service. They are anxious to go to France, hot weald willingly serve no the Bio Grande border, where they mold talk with the Mexicans in their oww language, and tell them how good the U. 8. had been to them. The latter propoeitioo has merit, bat peril alee. Fraternizatioa" between' opposing forces is lovely, but not war; and Unde Sam would naturally want to be sure his Filipinos were going to wig the Mexicans, in steed of affording the Mexican an opportunity to win hi Filipinoc ' ' Anxiety of the Sudan Bolahevijkj. for pence does not seem to prevent their fighting their own Cossack countrymen and turning msrhine gone loose on the civilian of their own population Petoograd. Chius diplomatic representative at the court James- - is Dr. S. A. Si. This isak n a sneeze, hot it sounds like' a good Imitation of of St ex-nt- ly fall-bW- it Germaay is presenting a Spartan front to the Entente Allies, but fast the same fox is gnawing at her vital. In Bosnia it really begin to look as though General Winter would throw hi his fortunes with the Central Power. The Teutonic submarine is as ubiquitous end herd to locate ea was the famous rebel flea. ' www h.-su- to ..W iueb aaror baton deportment say. Let Hght. thy m hare lest their |