[E]PRECEPTS FOR WORLD CITIZENS
Never allow the glory of the world vision to keep you from performing
your daily duty, be it humble or great; remembering that you are a
part of the whole and that the fullness of the world's life will
not be expressed if one member of the body fails to perform its
function. Remember that vision is worthless unless it helps you to
take hold of the handle of service with a firm grasp and a new
enthusiasm; but also that it is necessary to enter into the spirit
of the world vision a few moments at the dawn of each day.
* * * * *
Do not be deceived into looking upon national bigotry as patriotism. For
the interests of humanity are always primary to the interests of the
nation. What is good for the whole world is good for each continent
and government.
* * * * *
Begin to urge a national individualism among established nations which
insists less on rights and more on duties; which recognizes that the
greed for territory is the "original sin of the nations." God
divided the world into nations so that they might help, not destroy
each other; and when they admit this they will begin to inaugurate
essential world democracy.
* * * * *
Cultivate the spirit of "give and take"; recognizing that there is good
to be absorbed from other nations into the international life as
well as from your own.
Do not labor for a world peace which is to depend on "treaties, or
skillful diplomacy or mutual fear and equal preparedness for war;"
but for one which is based "on the common interests and sympathies
and on the mutual needs and services of a world organism, in which
each nation is a member of a world body-politic."
* * * * *
Urge a more mature development of an international conscience;
remembering that an ethical standard can be established for the
world as it was evolved from the individual to the tribal and then
to the national standard of ethics.
* * * * *
Do not forget that a man of another race is not a different kind of
animal than yourself. For one has well said: "The strangest thing to
me is that people who are so different are so much alike."
* * * * *
Encourage the spread of the new knowledge which has given to us a
clearer understanding of disease and through eugenics a vital
interest in those racial qualities which shall improve future
generations, remembering that when the bodies and minds of the races
are at their best they will be more open to reason and more cordial
to the spirit of harmony among the nations.
* * * * *
Do not be too much alarmed about the talk of foreign labor, or
interracial marriage. But take up the torch of enlightenment and
fulfill today's duty, remembering that in due time the co-operative
council of the Occidental and Oriental mind will see that all
problems are justly solved according to the best interests of the
whole race.
* * * * *
Insist that as soon as possible there be inaugurated a permanent
international court at the Hague, which shall be endowed with the
power to act as well as discuss, in behalf of the interests of the
whole world.
* * * * *
Finally, put on the whole armor of a faith in a deity which is not
tribal nor national but the God of humanity, that you may be able to
defeat prejudice. Stand, therefore, having your manhood girt about
with a broad intelligence; having on the breastplate of
righteousness wrought from the essential morality of the races.
Having your feet shod with the gospel of world peace, your judgment
made discreet with the gospel of contact and your soul made heroic
for service by an invincible faith in a better humanity, such as was
possessed by the Son of Man.