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i eaten Poe RT eo Bo bs das i Bee yes aI RN Pe eae Sia iat A aston) a teu SI at Romi ages Rae Ry ney Oe oor parte 9 Fee Piaf : a ey A Z % a: ' PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE FLETCHER JOHNSTON PRESS, STRATFORD, ONT. STRATFORD, APRIL 10, 1936 * RAE A ie ee ie aster . A THOUGHT FOR EASTER From the beginning of time men have hailed the com- ing of Spring as the resurrection of the earth from the death of Winter. Long before the Christian Era began, every religious cult celebrated in one way or another the returning season of growth and sunshine, with its promise of life beyond the grave. If the dead trees and grasses could so demonstrate immortality, why should man die to rise no more? In a few days the whole Christian world will join in testifying, on Easter Sunday, to its faith that death is not the end, that life goes on forever, in new and unknown but more glorious forms, that we earthbound plodders can no more imagine than can the maple tree or the wistaria shed- ding its scarlet robe of Autumn under the killing breath of Winter's frosts, imagine the glory of the Springtime gar- ments of green which it will wear in its new life. The belief that this is true, that there is a life beyond death, a life of release from toil and sorrow for such as truly believe and strive to live up to their belief has been the most powerful force in the history of our modern civilization. In this faith men have found a common tie of mutual ser- vice for the common good. All of the concepts of duty, honor, self-denial, self-respect and loyalty upon which great nations have been founded derive from the faith which is the very root and heart of Christianity. a Let no one say that the faith of our fathers is outmod- ed, that it no longer has its old power to inspire our lives. We are living in troublous times, and those of little faith are crying aloud that the old truths have failed, the old beliefs are dead. But even as they scoff, Spring brings her per- ennial symbols of the eternal life. And this coming Easter Sunday millions upon millions of believers will meet to testi- fy anew to the truth that their faith is a living faith, that it still rules the hearts of men. Sn ncreererer eras sk ic pened i OS es EE da gibi j i SRST ae CNR ange eae aero rreey or oreeecerearmes JA nangeat a2 ci ie AY ris a nia i a 32 « Pradib-tanantnemaaeacesecs ste