Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-07-29

tNe NirSdOm on edrtN as II is IN
Heaven. The impulse of democracy
is identical with the ceaseless effort OF
human nature" Self-sacrtice. not self
assertion, the giving of love. not the
tanning power, that is the redeemins
thought Of the worll.
As a united nation we see the issue
clearly. The Gemocracies of the world
are gathered about the last stronghold
q autocracy. We are going overseas
in answer only to the high call OF duty
not for conquest Of land o. commerce..
We ara going to fight for civilization
and for mankind for the enfranch;se-
ment OF the world
The spirit and purpose of democracy
and Christianity is represented by the
cross. The whole world is marsha led
Under the banner Of Christ to whose
powerful and peaceful sign the world
looks for sympathy. inspirat ton ana
help. Wherever men fight, whereN er the
glare ana roar of war are heard, this
white banner with its red cross carries
with it the heart of the Man OF Gallee.
tie principle Of the Sermon on the
Mount. It is today the 1ne symbol in
the world that holds the minds and
hearts and wills Of struggling humanity
close to the heart of God.
Long ago the Man of Galilee said
= his followers. IT am come that
they might have life and that they
might have it more abundantly." In
deed this was the text Of his whole
life | wonder what he meant by
that word life" It NAV he that
Spencer seized upon the heart of it
when he said. Life is right rela-
tons" To he rightly related to
God, to other people, to the physical,
intellectual and moral forces is fe.
rrussian kultur is the messenger of
death. The Christian church was
quick to see the truth of this, and
when the war came. il instantly Of
Tered itself for service. The best of
its youth. the saving of all the years
were quickly surrendered. IN this
decision they were living up to tho
standard of their Master. they were
! translating the ideals and principles
of Christianity into action. Z
1T is clearly evident that the prob
lem facing the church today is the
problem of realizing the principles of
Christianity. These principles are all
involved in the crisis now upon the
! world. If autocracy prevails. these
principles are defeated. Not only
have thYCentral Powers denied these
principles a place in modern life.
tut they have set aside honor, truth,
Justice and even democracy in their
| dealings with other nations.
There is a story in the New Testa-
mont Of a lame man and his recovery
by Peter. IT was the custom Of this
mans friends to carry him to the
, Gate Beautiful' of the temple
where he daily asked for aims of the
worshipers. One day Peter passed
tiat way and on being gripped by the
band. he said: IL have no gold, but
in the name of Jesus, rise and walk"
And he lifted him up. This story
brings to us clearly the method and
value of Christianity. To look. to
grip and to lift is the duty Of every
one of us.
First We must see clearly the
disasters that will fall upon the world
n
reality. If the Central Powers sue
coed in their purpose the civilization
Of today will be swept from the earth
, and with it those influences and in
stitutions that have made possible
the rule of the people. Therefore.
i we must look until we see the blight
ing. binding, killing curse of Prus-
sian rule. We must look, although
our minds stagSer and our souls re-
volt. until we sec Armenia, Serbia
Poland, Belgium and Flanders with
their unmeasured despair. We must
sec babies carried on Prussian bavo-
nets, boys holding handless stumps to
/ God, girls in the morning of life
turned to withered age at the touch
Of the Prussian beasts, mothers diving
with sorrow in their minds that
7 will never die out. Fathers turned
10 frozen statutes at the sight of
their bayoneted babies, handless
sons. insane daughters and murdered
wives. When we all see these things
our men will tighten their belts, bare
their arms and find their souls. our
women will put away selfishness
steel their hearts, forget their sor-
! row. stricken motherhood, grip the
| shoulders of their sons and send
them with the fire of outraged
| Womanhood in their hearts to kill the
foul monster that sends girls to face
Lie companioned by the children of
beasts, and mothers to live forever
n q charmed house of unnamed hor-
rors, and fathers to see the years
come and go without laughter and
without speech.
Second: We must grip the SUI
pTene task of the hour with hands Of
steel. with minds of far-seeing vision.
with hearts that know no fear. This
is not the place. this is not the hour
for those who hesitate or doubt or
fear. The task is one for men and
women who seeing all are ready to
venture all, to offer wealth and op.