Harvest Time in Peace and War

Improvement Era, vol. 19, no. 4, February 1916, p. 344

Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations

Once more October lays her magic hand,As though in benediction, on the waiting land;Once more the sound of harvesters afield,Gathering the bounties of the summer's yield,Proclaims the autumn here.

Once more, from grateful hearts, the peans raiseFor bounteous harvest crowning waiting days;Plenty is ours, and all its blessings comeTo make life happy, in each pleasant home;Thank God that Peace is ours.

But O, from 'cross the seas we catch the soundOf other harvest—that of War—renownedFor making beasts of men; of women, slaves;Orphans of children; land of untimely graves;Ruin and devastation out of all.

Where grain should grow are trenches, carnage filled ;Where pure love flourished, faith and virtue killed;Where flowers once bloomed, by fearsome stench we kenThe woeful havoc wrought by war-mad men,Zealously obeying War's demands.

We stand in awe of such a gruesome sight;We pity those whose day has changed to night;And, from our peaceful firesides, pray that GodMay bring from out this war-made chaos, good—A world-wide covenant of peace.

Was it in vain that Jesus lived and died?Is "Prince of Peace" a name but to deride?"Love for our fellow men," but empty words?Shall implements of peace be changed to swords?Almighty God, forbid!

God of the nations, Thou art waiting yet,'Though in their madness men Thy name forget,Waiting, thro' this fierce travail, for the birthOf world-wide peace to reign o'er all the earth,So out of evil shall the good be born!

Effie Stewart Dart.

SPANISH FORK, UTAH, 1915