LIFE IN DEATH
“If a man die, shall he live?” Aye—and that more abundantly!
We know that “except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it
abideth alone: but, if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Nature is
constantly demonstrating Life as the manifestation of Death. Nature’s
laws are the laws of God, to whom are all people subject. So, man, is
passing his progress, into a higher, or lower, form of spirit
continuance—as he may have chosen and prepared.
They do not die,—who instil love of country, and the highest degrees of
patriotism, in those who live.
The materialistic profiteer, who shirks his duty, and fattens on the
soldier’s blood,—will die and pass away as a clod. But the soldier whose
inspiring deeds will warm the blood of future generations has started a
flame that will burn forever.
When the materialist has cashed his coupons, he will find the money
won’t keep his body from being eaten up by the maggots. It may buy him a
tombstone, but not the respect of loyal patriots who are willing to give
their all, in order to live up to the traditions of those gone before.
Stocks and bonds have a market value—but Honor and Liberty are beyond
price.
Spiritual life and power are of far greater value than vast material
wealth.
It was the materialism of the Kaiser that started this war. He cannot
stop it. Why? Because he is confronted by the millions of dead bodies on
the battlefields of France whose spirits demand they shall not die in
vain. He is confronted by the spirit of Jeanne d’Arc,—by the awakening
spirit of 76.
These spirits are hovering around, stimulating, inspiring the living to
yet nobler deeds of heroism.
Indomitable, incorruptible, they flock to the living who fight to the
death, and every death brings forth another living soldier.
America, sunk in materialism, now hearkens to the call of her
forefathers.
The spirit of Washington, Hamilton, Greene, Lafayette, Rochambeau,
Lincoln, Sherman and Grant is calling us to the post of duty.
The stern hand of fate has elevated us to a level from which we can see
the great ideals we have forgotten—Honor, Patriotism, Equality.
Those are the level foundation on which democracy rests,—not on wealth
and inequality.
We must stamp out materialism and save the soul of America.
While we are making the world safe for democracy, let us make democracy
safe for the world.
While the soldier kills the German junker with the bullet the civilian
must kill off the political and profiteering junker with the ballot.
Instead of Safety First, we must place America First.