Shawnigan Lake School - Yearbook (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Canada)

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itJagazutP December, 1938

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« Editorial » A YEAR has passed since we last strove with the giant inertia of the editorial pen — a year in which the world, driven by the inexorable forces of political error and international hatred, has staggered on from tragedy to tragedy, only to be halted with dramatic suddenness — face to face with the great European crisis. It is little more than two months since we sat by our radios listen- ing to Hitler ' s Berlin speech and to the frenzied cheers of the audience assembled in the Sportspalast to hear the momentous decision — peace or Avar. Later we heard Mr. Chamberlain ' s restrained appeal for national service and the despondent statement that he had done all he could to prevent a catastrophe. Here was a contrast striking enough to check the anger aroused by the thought that this was just one more failure in British foreign policy. History, in the light of future events, Avill assess the value of Mr. Chamberlain ' s achievement in preserving the peace of Europe ; for the present we can only be thankful that, whatever the mistakes of the post-war years may have been, one man was found brave enough to face criticism at home and abroad in trying to follow what he con- ceived to be the path of duty. The most remarkable phenomenon of those dark days was the rapidity with which the moral conscience of the world was aroused against the commitment of the crowning folly of war. Whether this moral pressure will be great enough to prevent future wars Ave gravely doubt ; and Ave even venture to predict that within the next feAV years, unless the democratic countries are aroused to the imminence of the danger, they will have to face a crisis Avhich can be solved by fighting alone. We turn from the sorry spectacle of the world in turmoil to the problem of the beAvilderment of the individual mind. Men, like nations, may follow false gods, they may stagnate in ignominious sloth awaiting the inevitable end of all useless things, or they may help to found the Kingdom of Heaven upon earth. If a man cannot hope to reform the world, he can at least reform himself. In a changing Avorld the age-old truths are still the foundation of all decent conduct. History proAddes countless noble examples to folloAv ; in our literature is enshrined the Avisdom of the ages. Here is advice culled from the pages of a great Victorian — A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder — a Avaif , a nothing, a no-man. Find a purpose in life, and, having found it, put into it such strength of mind and body as God has given you. ' ' To this quotation the editor needs must add a Avord of his OAvn : • ' In seeking your purpose you must forget yourself ; for there is more good to the Avorld in the self-denial of one man than in the misdirected effort of a Avhole nation.