other’s value. Traveling through the far western country one may see thousands of sheep gathered together in a peaceful fold, one shepherd and one fold. The fact that some of these sheep are black and others are white does not make the slightest difference in that community of interest, for they know each other not by their color but by their kind, and they love each other in response to that spirit of God which vibrates in all creation. One star differs from another in magnitude, but each and all of these stars contribute to the brilliancy of the heavens. We have heard the wonderful harmony of an orchestra. We have heard those rich strains. Have you ever stopped to consider that in an orchestra the words, the music, the voices, the instruments may be different; and yet exquisite harmony, under the guidance of a great master, may come from that orchestra? The world has had a note of discord for many thousand years, and it must impress itself upon every reasonable man that war, force, and violence, are the greatest calamities that afflict the world of mankind. But now we are striving for the note of harmony. The thought of harmony, itself, is a happy thought, something that makes the hearts of men joyful, something that makes their minds flash with the gems of reality. For our own peace, safety, and salvation, we should make every effort to bring harmony out of these discordant notes that have been struck for time and ages throughout the world.
The races living side by side need each other. If even two communities which are near each other cooperate, it works to the commercial development and the happiness of both. We know the advantage and benefit which comes through cooperation when it affects two great nations, even though their ideals and principles and self-interest differ in every stage of their growth; but, today we need a harmony which is so universal that it will bind together the hearts of all these struggling elements which make up creation. Let us follow the guidance and the wisdom of God! Have you stopped to observe that the clouds of His mercy shower upon all the world of humanity; that the air we breathe is not confined to one church, or one synagogue, or one mosque, but the universal bounty of God supports all life and creation? The sunshine, with its great splendor, is not limited to this class or that class, or this race or that race, or one nation or another, but it beautifies and glorifies the whole realm of existence. God’s is the universal bounty and He loves all of His children. He has provided for them out of that great love. Shall men, therefore, reverse the purposes of God? Shall we reject the divine wisdom and initiate a different plan? If the divine plan is one of light, shall we make ours one of darkness? If the divine plan is one of providence, shall we devise a plan of greed? If the divine plan is one of altruism, shall we make ours the plan of selfishness? If the divine plan is universal tolerance, shall we inaugurate a plan of prejudice and pride? How can man escape disaster and humiliation if he is so self-centered and so self-satisfied that he attempts to reverse the principles of God?
The races living side by side have a common origin and a common destiny. From God we came and to Him we return, and we have many things in common. We live in the same favored land; we are warmed by the same sunshine; we strive for those same virtues and ideals which adorn and beautify the home; we have the same virtue of patriotism (and may this embrace the world!); we speak