Norwich bulletin., 1917-10-13
Sunday Morning Talk
DRAFTED MEN

The call to the colors has involved real sacrifices for thousands of young Americans. Their disappointment is
 perfectly natural and easily under life must all be given up, in crucial years, for the dull routine of the bar racks. It is safe to assume that not enc conscript in ten really wants to serve. What man of us in peaceful pursuits could rejoice in a summons that should cut across al prev1ous plans and turn askew a whole life career,
 Beneath the jacket of drafted soldier here and there measure e CT of resentment prevails. He cha lenges the Governments right t3 force him into service. Is not his life his own. he askeds, to be lived as he pleases? He declares that he is q citizen of the United States. not of Prussia Why should any compelling hand be laid upon him n the land Of the free?
 While such sentiment occasionally come to expression, it is remarkable that, among so great multitude of men. they are rare. No- the least wonderful aspect of the Government: $ operation. given by those direct Iy affected. Reports have it that grumblers are surprisingly few and far between. These thousands of
 
 best a hard life with notable courage and cheer. At all our army can comments the words of the poet are being fulfilled:
 So nigh is grandeur to our dust,
 So near is God to man,
 When Duty whispers low, Thou
 must"
 The youth replies, "I can."
 Drafted soldiers have been made to realize as must all the rest of us, that life continually brings obliga- tions not to be disputed simply be- cause they may be ungrateful. They have been brought face to mace with what the old philosopher called the "cgtegorical imperative" They are under bonds to do that which there is no fun in doing. In camp or out like situation. Duty is a hard word, but we must get acquainted with it. It appeals to the wills of men rather than to their desires, and promises
 There is a widespread notion that the ideal for human life is absolute liberty. Mans freedom, say certain teachers, shoull be not alone from cial restraint, from laws authority. from the obligations even of morality. Apostles. of this idea tell us that everybody has an inalienable right to do whatever he pleases to do. and that he need do nothing else. It is a plausible and congenial theory and many beside l. W. W. agitators &C., cept it.
 Yet what falser doctrine could be preached! As a matter of fact, there bonds to do, whether it pleases him OF not. There are human obligations from which no exemption board in heaven or earth is ever going. to free ho nSyev Ant ~ al God, certain duties are incumbent on every man. They are not left to ones personal option, or suggested to him merely as a sweet privilege; they are commanded.
 Confusion of mind at this point is and profound. For instance, how many a man assumes that, be- sion, recites no creed. and joins no he Is exempted from the ob- ligations of his pious brother. He Is as free ss aid to do with his own fife exactly what he chooses. He should get it through his head that no is removed by an at tempt to >evade it. Every single mor- al duty incumbent on the churchman is incumbent on him also. The great fundamental requirements of right 1 eousness and loyalty and service are 1 humble enough to acknowledge them; | they are laid or every soul! born into l Gods world.
 The supreme obligation of life rest l 0n men of no class or Sect or race or | age, but on humanity. No mortal | them. The thing one is un- | der bonds to do may not be to put on an olive drab unifOrm-or it may be. i In either case. one will not escape the | lraft. We are all conscripted men in | he Lords battle of light against | darkness. or right against wrong. and 1 there is no discharse in that war" uNIIE RS0N. .