The Washington herald., 1914-09-01
The POpe's Last Prayer.
By EMORY ,. HAYNES.

The proper translation Of the Latin prayer, which
the venerable man breathed as his farewell Is moi
difficult. He intended petition for the brotherly
love that would unite all nations in the spirit of One
who has been universally called the Elder Brother
In almost every corner of the earth this spirit
is understood, whether it is obeyed or not That
very fact of the universally of the understanding
itself marvel.
Equally wide and all-embracing IS the worlds ap-
proval of the idea Who among civilized or even
semi-civilized, men would deny that worldwide
brotherhood would be beautiful and greatly to be
desired? Such unity of creed is itself sublime
achievement. Though many would probably pro-
nounee it yet hopeless still all approve as the
highest good in the classic age But national Prov
ess and physical superiority ones neighbor
nation regarded the highest good.
The appeal to the worlds conscience is relatively
modern Each of the warring nations addresses the
whole world with its reasons seeking to justify ITSELF
The United States, democracy made up of a hun
dred millions, is especially appealed to for approval
The moral force of being counted as in the right is
priced more than gems No nation would flout the
verdict of mankind. This is the state of man today
But in older centuries not the verdict of history
was counted as worth considering
The humanties of modern war are very deter
rent, Cruel bullets, poisoned wells, and needless
hardship inflicted on children, women, and the aged
all are forbidden in glorious unity now. The Red
Cross mercies hold the whole earth in blessed thra
But in reserve lines, as it were, is the vast ma
jorty of the fearful millions of the civilized world
hoping, waiting in faith eager to help pacifcation.
If there never was so great war, there never was
SO great host of intelligent and women yearn-
ing with unuttersbe longing for a speedy end of
the worlds shame and grief Never in all history
Of ,t.1
peace. Few are the ideas that ever SO commanded
the assent of all living men may peace
lest we perish.
Never was so dreaded execrated and robbed
OF all its pageant and glory" Its horrors are
covered even by the fighters. The correspondent
is banished The poetry of the crusaders is nowhere
to be heard There is a unity of pain and hearache
Just as war deserves to be always associated with
but has not always been. Surely the world moves
forward, keeping step.
The dying pontif is but among thousands of
religious people in this prayer. BY can the
prayer be considered exclusively ecclesiastical or
priesty. The ethics of the wish have become part of
the warp and wool of human society. The everyday
breath of living man, everywhere is a lament and
hope.
There is no exultation, eager looking for vic
tories, but in place thereof universal cry Stop it
Let US not destroy the modern world This is ethical
unity. And in such unity there must be power.
What imprint our cries may make upon the over
arching sky We may not know But the stars are
too few TO mark the space where our voices strike
the heavens For my part l have no doubt that
those cries make the heavens ring. And they are
heard They are gathered in one They are the
one voice of humanity They plead for the end of
al war.
Let us not blind our eyes to these facts of moral
and spiritual unity Instead of crying out in cynical
despair for twenty centuries of Christian teaching
let us open eyes to see the awful manifestation
of Christiantys restraining force. 1t is the bit in
he mouth of war. 1t is the light that flares in the
blinded eyes Of war. 1t is the master idea, the ap-
'eal to conscience and the warning that nations are
to God. Prayer is today more than
ushing, mighty wind. 1t is the sole reliance of man.
lind, helpless in a Storm and be sure it will prevail