THE streets were full in London on Tuesday, the Victory Day for the European war. But the churches were also thronged all day with enthusiastic worshippers, alike in the capital and in the provinces. At St Paul’s and the Abbey it was necessary to hold successive services at intervals of an hour throughout the afternoon. The cessation of hostilities in Europe, with all that it means of immediate relief from strain and suffering, did not find the British people unmindful of the true source of all their good. Thanks be to God for His immeasurable mercies.

There was satisfaction in the sight among the English crowds of many comrades from abroad — from the Dominions, the United States, and other Allied nations. It is to be regretted that circumstances had not brought a comparable contingent of Russians to these shores to share in the nation’s joy. But we hope to see them often in the future, in the shaping of which they have so great a part to play, alongside the other forces of civilization.

One side of the world has now been freed. It remains to liberate the other, before peace can return to mankind. Meantime, for great sections of the human race the task of rebuilding from the ruins of the war a nobler, worthier and more righteous order of society can be begun. Let there be no mistake. The peace of man depends on following the righteousness of God. So after all the milling and the mafficking, off with the funny paper hats and on with the work of God.