Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-10-03

sent armies I'D Hgnt against the luTk
and wrest from his possession the
land where Jesus lived. the Holy
Land, and particularly the Tomb of
the Christ. There was something
beautiful in the search for the Holy
Grail; there was much that was
worthy in the fight for the Holy
Land; but we and our allies are en-
gagged in more worthy fight, we
seek righteous world, justice for
those who have been despoiled, free
dom for all, and abiding peace.
"The soul Of America lives because
we, like the knights of chivalry, have
pledged ourselves to deliver the OPP
pressed, to restore to Belgium and
Serbia and Poland and France and
Russia. We have right to be proud
of what we did for Cuba, when we
rescued her from Spanish oppression
and gave her independence, but our
war today is more praiseworthy for
is is not merely to rescue nation;
it is to secure the freedom Of the
world
"The soul Of America lives, as is
proved by the influences cast about
our soldiers. These free soldiers of
Ia free country are better cared for
than any other army. Their comfort
is sought, and their religious inter
ests are cared for. They are guarded
from the liquor curse and we have
reason to believe we have the cleanest
army in the world
THE soul of America lives in the
spirit Of her soldiers and sailors. Ii
is safe to say that larger proper
ton Of our soldiers are Informed as
to the causes of the war and the
principles at stake than in any other
army. 1t is true that most of them
are drafted but they go in the spirit
Of the volunteer. We are proud Of
their vaor and their successes on the
fields Of France. We rejoice in their
spirit over there and in their spirit
shown in the home environments.
They are ready to do and they go
forth TO conquer.
THE soul Of America lives in the
spirit of her citizens. United we
stand. II is a matter of world won
der that the people Of America APP
parently so divided on the war ques-
tion two years ago are now completely
united. There is nothing half-hearted
in her attitude towards the war In
the early history Of Israel. Saul who
had just been chosen as the first king,
had returned to his farm life. There
came a messenger with an appeal
from Jabesh Gilead Hostile neigh
bors had besieged tine city. Jabesh
Gilead was doomed; they were hope
lessly outnumbered They asked for
terms of peace. Their cruel foes re-
piled that they would let them have
peace. but they would first put all
their eyes out. SO they sent mes
senger to King Saul asking if he
would deliver them. Saul. the king,
Immediately cut in pieces the yoke
of oxen with which he was working
and sent the pieces TO the tribes Of
Israel with the message. so shall il
be done to the oxen of the man who
refuses to come at the call of King
Saul They Needed the summons.
the foes Of Jabesh Gilead were
crushed and the city was saved
The call came to us when the
highest interests of civilization and
were threatened. There was
a threat that if we failed TO respond
we should be involved in the common
ruin. But the things, the principles.
we hold most dear were at stake and
We needed the cali our soldiers are
doing their noble best over in France.
and other millions are on the way to
force the road to Berlin. Our citizens
are backing up the boys in this holy
warfare. with their money, their ef-
forts and their prayers. We are all
committed to the overthrow of au-
tocracy. and Prussian arrogance and
beastiness. We are all looking for
ward TO the coming Of peace. with
the reign Of Righteousness IN high
places and to this end we are willing
10 make al necessary sacrifices. for
the soul Of America lives"