(_As earnestly as any I crave the victory of Right over this madness of
Insensate Might against which we are contending. As certainly as any I
would, if that were conceivably possible, have adequate punishment
meted out to those who have brought this horror upon the world. But I
see, as all save the utterly earth-blinded must see--that when the Day
of Settlement comes, and we and our allies are in a position to impose
terms, unless we go into the Council-Chamber with hearts set inflexibly
on the Common Weal of the World--in a word, unless we invite Christ to
a seat at the Board--the end may be even worse than the
beginning;--this which we have hoped and prayed night be the final war
may prove but the beginning of strifes incredible._)
"Only through Me!" ... The clear, high call comes pealing,
Above the thunders of the battle-plain;--
"Only through Me can Life's red wounds find healing;
Only through Me shall Earth have peace again.
Only through Me! ... Love's Might, all might transcending,
Alone can draw the poison-fangs of Hate.
Yours the beginning!--Mine a nobler ending,--
Peace upon Earth, and Man regenerate!
Only through Me can come the great awaking;
Wrong cannot right the wrongs that Wrong hath done;
Only through Me, all other gods forsaking,
Can ye attain the heights that must be won.
Only through Me shall Victory be sounded;
Only through Me can Right wield righteous sword;
Only through Me shall Peace be surely founded;
Only through Me! ... _Then bid Me to the Board!_"
* * * * *
_Can we not rise to such great height of glory?
Shall this vast sorrow spend itself in vain?
Shall future ages tell the woful story,--
"Christ by His own was crucified again"?_