Headlined in London papers as "Hitler's Remarkable Relief Scheme" and "Fast Sunday for Every German," is the newly proposed relief plan of the National-Socialist Government, the Nazi administration of Germany. We read in the Daily Telegraph of September 14th, 1933:

"By restricting the cost of its Sunday dinner once a month to a maximum of 6d. per person, the German population is to supply means for the relief of the acute distress expected during the coming winter. Money raised in this way is to be supplemented by general street and house-to-house collections, systematic deductions from wages and salaries. . . .

". . . The first Sunday in every month is to be a "fast" for the benefit of the hungry. The restriction is to prevail in restaurants, hotels and railway dining-cars, as well as in private dwellings."

Herr Goebbels of the Propaganda Ministry, in presenting the plan to his people, proudly declared it to be "the most grandiose organization of the present year, the like of which cannot be shown by any other nation."

How often have "Mormon" Elders proclaimed from the street corners, and in their tracting visits, the immense economic possibilities of the principle of fasting as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Reducing it to purely mathematical proportions they have shown how, by its honest observance, the people of a community, a city, a nation, or an empire could greatly alleviate the want of their unfortunate neighbours who might be destitute. But, "Though it sounds all right, it could never be done," is the response that has usually met them.

However, here is a great nation, filled with a burning national sentiment, optimistically preparing to combat the want and distress of the coming winter by the observance of the simple but effective principle of organized fasting. The success of its efforts will be interesting to observe.

Since 1855, the Church has cared for its poor by means of the contributions from regular fast days. In that year the General Authorities, under divine inspiration, to meet the emergency of an impending famine set aside the first Thursday of each month as "fast day." What was saved by this sacrifice was given to those who would otherwise be in want. In 1896 the day of fasting was changed from Thursday to the first Sunday in each month. Created to meet an emergency, this plan has become an institution in the Church, an effective means of caring for the poor. A striking example of its efficiency was the response of the Church membership to a specially decreed day of fasting in the spring of 1921, the proceeds to be distributed in Europe, Armenia, and other places where suffering was acute. The sum of £22,000 was realized from that one Church-wide fast day.

It is indeed singular that a comparison of the details of the two systems of organized fasting shows them to be so nearly identical. Perhaps that part of the message of the Restored Gospel may have been either directly or indirectly the inspiration and the model for the new scheme adopted by the German Government—perhaps not. But evident, at least, is the fact that consciously or unconsciously, the people of the world are discovering that the Lord's way is best. The leaven of the Gospel is spreading.—Elder Richard S. Bennett.