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“The Street railway service is becoming worse instead of btter and the complaints each day are piling up”

          Hamilton Herald.   December 22, 1914

While complaints about the service provided by the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) were hardly new, the chorus of denunciations about the HSR reached a very high level at the year 1914 was coming to an end.

On December 22, 1914, the Hamilton Herald published the first in a series of articles on the state of service provided by the company, the company which had never regained the hostility towards it engendered during the bitter strike of 1906.

The article began by recounting a common question heard every day :

“ ‘Isn’t this a rotten service?’ is the usual morning salutation. One has merely to board a car to hear the voice of the people in regard to the service.”¹

               ¹ “More Kicking Over ‘Rotten’ Service : Passengers in All Parts of City Complain About Street Cars : Feeling is That City Should Check Service and Apply Remedy”

Hamilton Herald.   December 22, 1914

Dissatisfied riders of the electric street cars operated by the HSR used the system throughout the city, the people who resided in the south and northeast districts were complaining the most bitterly:

“This morning about eight minutes before 9 o’clock three cars rounded the corner of King street and Sherman avenue. The first two were well-filled, while the last contained one passenger.

“The next car did not put in an appearance until 9:10 o’clock and it was packed to the doors when it reached Fairleigh avenue, where several shivering pieces of humanity went aboard. The car stopped at every street from Fairleigh avenue until it reached the corner of King and James streets, either for passengers to alight or the familiar ‘just one more’ to get on.

“ ‘Step up to the front, gentlemen,’ continually pleaded the conductor, but unfortunately, there was no room for further advancing movements unless to place the motorman in peril of being shoved through the vestibule.”¹

One resident of the east end told a Herald that overly packed street cars were common:

“ ‘ Such conditions as this exist every day. I have ridden on the cars for several months during the morning hours, and have not yet secured a seat, as the cars are usually crowded when they reach Holton avenue.’ ”¹

The annoyed HSR fare payers wondered when the politicians at Hamilton City Hall were not interested in their problems, claiming that it could be easily proved that the company was not running a proper service.

The HSR motormen and conductors were targets for much of the passenger unrest:

“In addition to complaints about the service, the Barton street patrons are just as much incensed against some of the car crews, because it is felt that the carelessness of the men is largely responsible for the bad service there

“This morning about 8 o’clock a passenger rushed out to get a car at St. Matthew’s avenue. He was in time to run straight in front of car No. 453 and wave his hand for the motorman to stop.

“The motorman turned his head with a smile and made not the slightest effort to stop.

“ ‘He could have stopped that car in a second, a kid could have done that with the air brakes,’ said an old street railwayman who saw the incident. ‘That is the kind of thing that gets the company in wrong.’

“The passenger walked from St. Matthew’s avenue to Wellington street before another car came along, which shows what time he lost through his inability to persuade the motorman to stop the car.”¹

It seemed that the managers of the HSR were fully aware of the critical article which had appeared in the press:

“Things were humming in street railway circles yesterday afternoon, following the publication of the Herald, in which were a few of the thousands of complaints against the poor service.”²

² “ Side Show Men Could Get Tips Here : House Upside Down Weak Imitation of Street Car stunts : Feeble Attempt Was Made to Remedy Matters in Spots Yesterday”

Hamilton Herald.   December 23, 1914.

The HSR management decided abruptly to add more street cars in selected lines in response to the article:

“From the sudden appearance of cars on the East King street service, passengers guessed that all the employees at the car barns made a rush to assist the head office.

“There were cars galore on East King street about 5 o’clock, but the strange part about the jumble of wheels was the amateur management of the business to meet the demands of the public.”²

An example of the hasty and poorly-thought reactions to the Herald article was the way that two street cars were coupled together and sent out:

“This pairing arrangement was strange. The first of the two cars would be labelled ‘Jockey club’ and would make the full course, while the second would be ‘King and James only.’

“Of course, the first car couldn’t stop to pick up passengers, as it would be behind the schedule. The result was that the second car was jammed, and the first car usually carried only the conductor and motorman.”

The Herald reporter hopped about Car # 422 which was heading south:

“That car seldom heads toward the mountain without being jammed from door to door.

“The rule of the company is ‘no passengers in the rear vestibule,’ and, accordingly, the people are herded into the car and the rear door slammed shut to prevent them tumbling out the back.

“When the car starts, the strap hangers are swung loose from their moorings, and stray feet meet stray feet, the result being hard on bunions.

“When the car stops, many a married man is put in an embarrassing position by falling into some pretty young lady’s lap.”²

A little later the Herald reporter hopped on an East Barton street car where he witnessed the following:

“It was about 6 o’clock, and the woman was returning from uptown, and had a baby with her. She had put her go-cart in the rear vestibule. When she arrived at her street, the rear vestibule was packed as usual, and she had difficulty in getting the go-cart.

“ ‘Hurry up, you’re delaying the car,’ shouted the conductor.

“ ‘I’m hurrying as much as I can,’ said the lady, ‘but I can’t get the cart out.’

“ ‘You should be home getting your husband’s supper instead of holding up the cars at this hour,’ snapped back the conductor.

“The woman, thus ridiculed in front of a crowd, was quite embarrassed. A stranger stepped forward towards the conductor, and could hardly keep his hands off the man.

“ ‘It is a good job for you that the lady is not my wife, or even a friend of mine, or I’d knock your block off,’ he said to the man in uniform, who remarked that the rules of the road made him a constable.”²

The Herald reporter tracked down an official with the Hamilton Street Railway company who frankly admitted that the company was not keeping on schedule, and that it could not do so if it had a thousand extra cars.

HSR would not be improved and complaints about delays and overcrowding would continue.

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        When war had been declared a little over four months earlier, it was Europe than was presumed to be the location of most of the action.

          However, as 1914, that war was indeed becoming a global conflict with hot spots breaking out in various places, including Africa, China, the Middle East, Africa and more.

          Even the city of Hamilton was not felt to be a totally safe place, immune from any direct attacks. Hence a large group of volunteers formed themselves in a “Home Guard” and armed themselves to defend the city if needed.

          On December 21, 1914, the Spectator carried the following editorial written about Hamilton Home Guard :

          “Alderman Walters’ tribute of praise to the Hamilton Home Guard, at the meeting of the civic legislation committee on Friday evening, was as timely and fitting as it was graceful.

          “The services of the Home Guard may never be called for. It is to be hoped that they will not be. But in the midst of the world war such as the one now raging, one cannot know the limits of the possibilities that may be developed in the near future. In a day, the whole situation may be changed and our own country be in danger. It is well to be prepared for any emergency, however remote may be.

          “Able-bodied Canadians of military age – 18 to 35 years – are needed for the active militia. It is they who are under obligation to take the field to protect the country from invasion or to volunteer for service abroad in the cause of empire. For possible military service at home – to protect the city and district from possible raids or uprisings resulting from the war, the Home Guard has been organized. Every able-bodied citizen 35 years old and over is eligible for membership.

                    “Already, without much urging, a sufficient number of citizens to make eight good-sized companies have enrolled in the guard, and there are among them some of the most prominent men in town. In all, perhaps six or seven hundred men are gathering twice a week to learn company drill – and they enjoy the new experience. No doubt arms will soon be procured, and the amateur soldiers will learn. No doubt arms will soon be procured, and the amateur soldiers will learn the mysteries of the service rifle and acquire the art of shooting straight.

          “The guard is well-officered. Lieutenant-Colonels Mewburn and Acheson are supervising the work of organization and drill, and there are many British army veterans who are glad to give their service as non-coms.

          “So much progress has been made that the guard is about to graduate from company to battalion drill. The first battalion drill is to be held this evening at the armories. It would be good to have a large attendance of citizens who, seeing how well the guardsmen do their work, and how they enjoy it, will catch the military contagion and enroll themselves in the ranks.

          “It should be easy to organize a second battalion. Two battalions of the Home Guard, armed and equipped and fairly well-trained, ought to be enough to guarantee Hamilton protection against evil results of any sudden hostile demonstration from without or within.”¹

               ¹ “The Home Guard”

          Hamilton Spectator. December 21, 1914.

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By Christmas 1914, most of the Hamilton men who had so enthusiastically volunteered to fight in the European war in August had yet to complete training.

          After a stint at Valcartier, Quebec, the boys from Hamilton were at Salisbury in England receiving last minute instructions before being deployed.

          On December 22, 1914, the Hamilton Herald published the following letter which had been received by William Nugent, a well known motorman with the Hamilton Street Railway.

          The letter had been written by his friend and former co-worker Sergeant J. Kelly who was at the Salisbury training area. :

          “ Dear old Bill,

          “I am well and fit. It does nothing here but rain. Web all the war is coming to a quick end. Lord Kitchener says it will last three years, but none of us see how it can.

          “I for one am sick of this queer country. The weather has taken the heart out of us and the fit out of our clothes.

          “There is a rumor that we are to go to Egypt, but I guess there is no such luck. It is snowing here today for a change. We get everything here but sunshine.

          “Well, Bill, I wish they would send us to the front, and let us do our little bit, but I don’t think we will get there before next May or June. If they keep us on this plain much longer, we shall all go dippy.

          “We get so much stew that we have to swim out of our tents or drown.

          “I am thankful for those good old Heralds that you sent me. The boys get wise to them, and there is a great rush for them and all the news.

          “I should like to get home just for Christmas, and then come back again. If this war lasts for three more years, it will be a long time before I am pulling street car bell cords in Hamilton again.

          “I don’t care much if the Germans shoot me, so long as they do not take me prisoner, for they are treating their prisoners unmercifully. But they will get all that’s coming to them before it is over, and God help them if I get a whack at them.

          “Wishing you all a merry Christmas, I remain.

          “Sergeant J. Kelly.”¹

               ¹ “ ‘Good Old Herald’ : Sergt. Kelly Says Boys at Salisbury Are Eager for it.”

          Hamilton Herald. December 22, 1914

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“During a gang fight in the foreign settlement of the east end last night, Catano Mileni was shot under the heart by a gun alleged to have been discharged by Ruffini Raffaele, alias Ralph Rufus, who appeared in police court this morning on a charge of shooting with intent.”

          Hamilton Herald.   December 21, 1914.

          While the east police station was the site of feverous activity relating to the collection of gifts to be distributed to families in need, the grim work of policing the area continued.

          Shortly before 8 p.m. on Sunday evening, December 20, 1914, police at the Sherman avenue station received notification of a shooting affray.

The patrol wagon was used to get to the scene, although Inspector Coulter and Sergeant Hawkins, accompanied by Constables Duffy and McClure, could have easily got there on foot.

 The scene of the incident was just a few blocks north of the station, at a boarding house near the corner of Sherman avenue north and Brant street.

Although a wild fight had taken place shortly before in the boarding house, when the police entered, things had calmed down :

“Mileni was lying on the floor in a semi-conscious state, with blood rushing from a wound, just beneath his heart. Raffaele, alia Rufus, was sitting on a bed in a nearby room and when he saw the officers he is alleged to have said, ‘I done it and the gun is under the mattress.’

“Reaching down, he produced a 32 calibre revolver, which the police took possession of. Mileni was rushed to the city hospital, and Raffaele was taken to the east end station”¹

¹ “A Shooting That May End Fatally : C. Mileni in Critical Condition in Hospital – Rufus Under Arrest”

Hamilton Herald.   December 21, 1914.

When the policemen and their prisoner arrived at the east end station, the identity of the shooter was unclear, at first:

“ ‘Ruffini Raffaele,’ scribbled the prisoner on the police slate, but after thinking the matter over for some time, the officers thought they remembered a familiar countenance buried under a heavy beard and mustache, and the accused, when questioned, admitted he was Ralph Rufus.

“ ‘ That’s my Canadian name. The other’s my Italian.’ ”¹

Raffaele, under questioning, strongly claimed that he had acted in self-defense. While Mileni had been acted as a peacemaker in a drunken brawl which had broken out. Raffaele admitted shooting the gun, but claimed that he did not aim at Mileni, but at another Italian who was about to attack him.

The Spectator account of the incident, which the reporter called a ‘carousal’, included detailed information on the identity of the shooter:

“Raffaele is by no means a stranger in local police circles. Some four or five years ago, he was convicted on a charge of stabbing another Italian and was sentenced to nine months in prison. He was later arrested on a charge of imprisoning a girl named Rose Bartlett in a house in the Italian settlement, and keeping her there for immoral purposes.

“The girl dropped a note from a window, saying that she and another girl were being detained in the house, but at the trial, Raffaele was acquitted and the girl was sent to the reformatory.”²

² “Italian Shot While Trying to Make Peace : Bullet Hit Victim Just Below the Heart.”

Hamilton Spectator. December 21, 1914.

While the prisoner was being detained at the east end station, Mileni was being treated at the hospital on Barton street.

The attending physician, Dr. R. Y. Parry, came to the conclusion that Mileni might not survive his wounds said that he thought it was be advisable that he be asked to make a statement about the case as soon as possible:

“Magistrate Jelfs, Chief Smith and Detectives Cameron and Goodman went to the city hospital where the unfortunate man was taken after the affray.

“Ernest Taylor acted as interpreter, and the man accused of doing the shooting was also present.

“The story the victim told was similar to that Raffaele told the police.”²

After the statement had been taken at the city hospital, Raffaele was conveyed to a cell at the King William street police station in the downtown core.

Dr. Parry’s concern about Mileni proved true as his patient died in hospital at 4:10 a.m., thirty two hours after the shooting affray.

Two hours later, Raffaele was told of the death of Mileni:

“He evinced no outward sign of emotion or regret, but took the news as if he expected it.” ³

³ “Mileni’s Wound Proves Fatal : Foreigner Died at City Hospital Today.”

Hamilton Spectator. December 22, 1914.

Police Chief Smith told the press that getting reliable evidence as to what occurred at the Brant street house was not easy:

“Chief Smith stated today that the police were having considerable difficulty rounding up the many foreigners who witnessed the shooting. The majority, known to have been in the house at the time, have denied all knowledge of the tragedy.”³

After a brief inquest, Raffaele was taken to the police court for a preliminary hearing.

After consultation, Chief Smith and Crown Attorney decided that Raffaele would not be charged with murder :

“Chief Smith, discussing the case this morning, said, ‘There was apparently no premeditation about the shooting. Everyone was drunk, so far as we can gather, and the charge will only be that of manslaughter.”⁴

⁴ “Mileni Dead : Raffaele May Now Be Charged With Manslaughter”

Hamilton Herald. December 22, 1914

 

 

 

           

         

 

1914-12-26eec

“James Marshall, of Marshall’s lime works on the mountain, a short distance back from the brow, has received an interesting letter from Arthur Hughes.”

Hamilton Herald. December 26, 1914.

Hughes had formerly worked at the lime kiln but was currently Private Arthur Hughes, a reservist serving with A Company, King’s Own Light infantry :

Pte. Hughes resided in Hamilton in the early part of this year and was employed by Mr. Marshall. He went readily to war, feeling that it was his duty. Since he left, a son was born”¹

¹ “Hamilton Man Writes From Front : Hughes Tells of Desperate Nature of Fighting Against Germans : He Was Slightly Wounded But Saw Comrades Fall All Around Him”

Hamilton Herald. December 26, 1914.

Hughes’ letter to his former employer was reproduced in full in the Herald of Boxing day 1914. The names of the places mentioned by the private had been deleted by the military censors :

“Dear Mr. Marshall – I thought a line might interest you, although I can give you very little information about the war, as I know little about the general situation, and very few really do, although all kinds of wild rumors are current about it being over by Christmas. I wish I could think so. In my opinion, it will last at least another six months.

“The last week has been the easiest and least risky I have experienced since land. The fighting has been of such a nature as to give everyone reasonable hope of pulling through the wretched business.

“We have been resting for two whole days and nights in comparative safety – the nearest shell that has dropped must have been 3200 yards  off, and that was a stray one.

“The firing line is four miles off, and we are now working the trenches in two or three day reliefs – quite enough in this cold weather.

“Our company went in last night, but I was not allowed to go as my left hand was slightly injured with a piece of shell at Ypres. A little piece also struck my left eye, but, thank God, the sight is still there, and beyond being stunned for a time, I am none the worst. Another poor fellow a yard or two farther off, where it burst, was killed.

“The enemy in this position appear to be relaxing their efforts. I trust they will continue to do so; I, for one, am heartily sick of the war.

“Every few days we get 100 or 200 men out from England to make up our losses, but we still only number one-third what we should, and nearly all.

“Things have happened so quickly in such a short time that it sometimes puzzles me to think. Practically all my old friends in the regiment are dead or wounded, and now I have time it makes me think.

“The weather is cold and wet, and although we lose many horses from exposure, we men seem to struggle through somehow; I suppose the excitement keeps us warm.

“The queen has made us a present of a fur coat each, and I wish I could send mine home, as we have another one; besides, when the fur gets mixed up with the mud in the trenches, it is not either warm or dry, and I expect within a week we will have discarded a memento we would have been glad to keep.

“I think I am getting a little run down, as my nerves don’t seem quite as steady as the first day I went into the trenches, but I intend going as long as there is a kick left, as someone has to do the work.

“The Indian troops relieved us at (name deleted) where we attacked 658 strong, and retired the next day when the general ordered us to do so, with 151 men and one officer. I was one who escaped with nothing worse than two broken rifles – the third I had that day belonged to a dead comrade.

“Then there was (words deleted) and now (words deleted) again in much subdued form. I think before long we will cut them off here and make a big capture.

“The details and incidents are too numerous and tiring to write about; I will tell them when I return, as please God, I may.

“I would like to hear from you, Mr. Marshall, if you can spare the time, but I know you have your hands full. The address on the first page will find me.

“I have given you more accurate news about the war than I gave my wife, so you need not give her some of these details – she is lonely enough without worrying over my safety.

“Please remember me to everyone.

“Very sincerely yours,

“Arthur Hughes.” ¹

Private Hughes’ letter brought the realities of the war in Europe to Hamilton. The enthusiasm for the war that swept over the city in August was being replaced with a sadness and dread that it would go on and on.

 

 

1914-12-23ahal

With Christmas day looming ever so, last minute preparations were being made to provide the fixings for a hearty meal to be distributed to some of Hamilton’s neediest citizens:

          “The old Duncan lithographing building on South Macnab street was a scene of the greatest activity in the butcher line yesterday afternoon and evening when a corps of butchers supervised by William Stroud sliced up 130 quarters of beef which will be used for distribution tomorrow.

          “The work of the men under Mr. Stroud’s command was a sight to be remembered. The men worked with a will and a skill which was gratifying. The roasts were cut in pieces of from six to twelve pounds.”¹

               ¹ “Christmas Cheer : Hundred and Thirty Quarters Cut Up for Needy”

          Hamilton Herald.  December 23, 1914

          For the first time, each benevolent society or caring businesses would not handle the distribution of their donations separately:

          “As the work of taking care of the needy has been entirely left in the hands of the united relief officials, there will not be any basket distribution by other societies, as they have all combined. Each basket will contain food for a good substantial dinner, along with the roast of beef.”¹

               The Salvation Army did not combine its efforts with the united relief officials :

          “The Salvation army will provide a dinner for the poor on Christmas day, and will look after the jail prisoners. The money for such work is being raised from contributions dropped into the pots over which a Salvation army lassy or lad is watching.”¹

1914-12-26aga

“The joyous festival of Christmas, commemorative of Christ’s birth in the stable of Bethlehem, was fittingly observed in many of the city churches yesterday, where special services appropriate to the Yuletide season and its glorious traditions were conducted.”

          Hamilton Spectator.  December 26, 1914.

          After a one day’s pause, the Hamilton daily newspapers were back in business on Boxing Day.

          Several articles appeared capturing the feel of Hamilton on Christmas day, 1914.

          One focused on a few of the many special church services held across the city that day:

          “The majority of Hamiltonians attended some service.

          “The Presbyterians united in a join service, conducted at Central Presbyterian church at 10:30 a.m. :

“Rev. J. R. Fraser, of Uxbridge, who spent with the Rev. Dr. Drummond, preached a forceful and inspiring sermon, taking as his text Matthew 2 : 4-5, ‘ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet”       

          “In beginning, the speaker said that every town, ancient or of the present day, had its traditions and it was believed the character of the townspeople was moulded by these traditions. So it was with Bethlehem, that town which was replete with the most glorious traditions in the world’s history.

“The speaker referred to the many times Bethlehem was mentioned in the Bible, and he touched on the burial of Rachael, the story of Ruth, David and finally the birth of Jesus Christ.

“Mr. Fraser said that the general idea of Christmas was a mistaken one. Most people celebrated it believing it commemorated something that was past. This, he said, was wrong for Christ was continually coming to His people, coming daily, hourly and every moment.

“Referring to the awful war, the speaker said that he was afraid there was too much sentiment being injected into it by the non-participants. It is true that there was a great element of sadness, but better that than bitter, ignoble peace.

“Christians should rejoice, he said, that out of all this chaos there would finally come the great peace that would be everlasting.

“The offering will be turned over to the United Relief association to relieve distress in the city.”¹

¹ “ What Christmas Season Means : Re. J. R. Fraser Speaks at United Presbyterian Service : Thinks Great and Lasting Peace Will Follow War.”

Hamilton Spectator.  December 26, 1914.

At the very same time the Central Presbyterian Church began its Christmas morning service, an event at the King George school began:

“The members of the Hamilton Conservative association were busy men yesterday morning from 10:30 until after one o’clock, when their plan of giving a Christmas dinner to five hundred of the city’s children was carried out in a most capable manner.”²

² “Over Five Hundred Kiddies Had Merry Time : Guests of Conservatives at King George School : Christmas Dinner and Gifts For Everyone : Prominent Men and Women Acted as Waiters”

Hamilton Spectator.  December 26, 1914.

Word that a meal and gifts would be given to children had spread widely during the last few days Christmas :

“Long before the hour set for the event, lines of children trooped up the broad stairways of the King George school on Gage avenue, and were passed along to the various class rooms, where refreshments were to be served.

“Four of the commodious rooms were filled, a kiddie was seated at every desk, as well as the open floor spaces being filled, Along the main hall of the second story, which runs the entire width of the school, was set one long table with a cross table adjoining at the open stairway, and here several hundred other children were served.

“In all, something over five hundred children enjoyed the Christmas meal provided by the generosity of the Hamilton Conservative association.”²

It was a major effort to serve all those children, all members of the association were kept busy, and fortunately many of their wives and lady friends were present to assist.

The dessert was especially tricky to serve quickly:

“The best efforts were required to keep the small boys supplied with ice cream, a delicacy in great demand as the finishing touch to a beautiful dinner. Huge pitchers of coffee were emptied with rapidity, and great plates of cakes and goodies disappeared just as quick, while a number of husky aldermen and ex-aldermen were kept busy toiling over the large cans of ice cream, one of them was heard to remark that ‘he hadn’t worked as hard in months.’

“Following the dinner, the children and their parents, of which there were a large number present, were lined up and passed down the side stair, and as they went down received a large bag of candies, nuts, oranges and other goodies to take home. On reaching the ground floor, every child was presented with a pair of stockings and a pair of mitts.”²

Hamilton Mayor Allan was out and about the city on Christmas day. His visit to the police station on Sherman avenue was scheduled to be brief, but he graciously decided to stay and help the workers distribute gifts to the large number of children who went there after hearing that there were still toys available.

Mayor Allan paid a “flying visit” to the House of Refuge, accompanied by Controller Thomas Jutten who was chair of the City Hall committee which oversaw operations at the home for the elderly:

“The usual Christmas spread tendered the aged inmates of the institution had just been finished. The visitors wished everyone present a merry Christmas and spent a little time in talking to the inmates of the home.

“In the afternoon, the mayor was busy distributing gifts in West Hamilton, but he was most impressed with his visit to the house of refuge.

“ ‘It made one’s heart ache to see those folk,’ he said, ‘and they were really glad to see us. I think they all felt rather pleased.’ ”³

³ “Mayor Allan Put in Busy Holiday : Attended Many Distributions of Christmas Cheer : Much Impressed With Scene at the Refuge.”

Hamilton Spectator. December 26, 1914

 

 

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Two Hamilton newspaper editorials published on December 24, 1914, both using the title, “Christmas, 1914.

          From the Hamilton Herald :

          “ ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you.’ Thus spoke the Prince of Peace whose nativity the world will celebrate tomorrow. By this legacy of peace was not meant national immunity from war. If it had been, what irony there would be in the words! – for since they were spoken there has been, of the nineteen hundred years that have passed, scarcely one in which war was not waged somewhere on the earth. The ‘peace’ of the precious legacy is the peace of the individual soul. It is the fruit of love and unselfish service and sacrifice for others. But if this peace abounded among mankind, it would end war as inevitably as the morning sun ends the darkness.

          “Earth affords no stronger contrast than that between the spirit of peace which moves Christendom at this season and the spirit which is responsible for the terrible war in which half the world is engaged. Love and the spirit of unselfish sacrifice and service have their direct opposites in the motives which prompted the rulers of the Germanic empires to plunge their countries into war. They were not desirous of doing service to their neighbors; they aimed at robbing their neighbors. Hatred, not love, inspired them – hatred and covetousness, envy and insatiable lust for power, national vainglory and egotism. The utter absence of the soul’s peace is seen, not only in the actions of the rulers, but in those of their soldiery also – not so much on the battlefields as in the ruined towns of stricken Belgium –

          “ ‘ Where hideously ‘mid rape and sack

             The murderer’s laughter echoed back

               His prey’s convulsive laughter.’

          “In Belgium, in the wasted fields and shattered towns and villages of northern France, of Poland, of Servia, along the long battle lines and in the field hospitals are seen the ghastly fruits of the Prussian ‘will-to-power’ spirit. In countless North American homes and churches and charitable institutions, the beautiful Christmas peace glows and radiates. The former are the logical results of the teaching of Nietzsche and Treitschke; the latter flows from the teaching of Christ.

          “Though stern, terrible work must yet be done, the Christ-like spirit will prevail. It must prevail, if this world is to be made fit for the inhabitants of civilized humanity. The apostles of force and false national glory will be discredited and brought to shame and there will be a chance for the spread of peace on earth and good will towards men. It is to this end that Britain and her allies are warring. When they have put down the sinister forces which have bred suspicion and fear and hatred and, at last, war it may be – let us hope that it will be – practicable by international agreement to declare war against war and provide means for enforcing the decree. It may be that before another Christmas dawns, mankind will, as a result of the great war, be more receptive than ever before to the sweet influence of the peace spirit which hallows this season, and that there will be sure signs of the approach of that time

          “ ‘When peace shall over all the earth

             Its ancient splendors fling.

             And the whole world will give back the song,

             Which now the angels sing.’ ”

 

From the Hamilton Spectator :

          “Could there be a greater contrast than that between the scenes on the plains of Judea when the herald angels chanted ‘Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth and good will to men,’ and the awful tragedy now being enacted on a stage covering the greater part of Europe. The nations at war are nominally Christian. Has Christianity failed? Is it an outworn faith, unable to bear the stress of twentieth century thought? Must we bid good-bye to Christmas, and all that it supplies.

          “ ‘I, if I be lifted up,’ said Christ Himself, ‘will draw all men unto Me,’ and sad to say it is not the true Christ but a misrepresentation of Him, that has been presented to the gaze of men. It is a simulacrum of Christianity, not the real thing that has broken down. As Browning said, we shall never know what Christianity is until we have tried it. Compare the highest form of manifested Christianity with the lofty standard of the Sermon on the Mount, and the observation will be understood. The European catastrophe was not caused by Christianity, but by the want of it. The Prince of Peace, it is true, came not to bring peace but a sword, till righteousness shall prevail; but on the basis of righteousness was to come the peace that passeth understanding.

          ‘The cult of Frederick the Great, of Treitschke, of Nietzsche, and of Bernhadri, was the very antithesis of Christianity. The superman who rides roughshod over thousands of weaklings that a favored few may flourish is far removed as hell from heavens from Him who stoops to save. He who ‘emptied Himself of His glory, that we, through His poverty, might be made rich’ can have no sympathy with a selfish lust of world empire. Can we imagine the Kaiser washing the feet of his peasantry? Modern German philosophy, so-called, finds no place for the weak, but extinction to magnify the strong. St Paul said to the Ephesian elders: ‘I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye might support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ To the Romans, he said: ‘We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of nthe weak and not please ourselves.” He even laid down the principle that we are to refrain from a legitimate practice rather than wound the tender conscience of a weaker brother.

          “Anyone has but to follow out this line of thought for himself to see that there could be nothing more inimical than German militarism to the spirit of  the Founder of the Christian Church and the precepts of His apostles. And the removal of that bane from the face of the face of the earth will be the longest step that could be taken toward the advent of millennial peace.

          “When Christ reigns in Germany, there will be a new Germany, which may be heartily welcomed into the circle of Christian nations. Then we may look forward, as wisely as wistfully, to the day when men shall ‘beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.’  - when wolf and lamb, leopard and kid, shall dwell together, ‘and a little child shall lead them.’ Arbitration may take the place of armaments. Appeal may be made to the parliament of man, the federation of the world. Then we shall know all it means when the first Christmas was made luminous by seraphs of the sky.”