Norwich bulletin., 1918-05-04
Sunday Morning Talk
MORALE EXCELLENT.

We DfeaLne Ireer when we Tedu that the morale of the troops is ex- cellent." That means that the boys lover there" are full of courage and pep" They believe they are going to win, and victory generally rests, at least on the banners of those who believe in victory. The opposite is true also, as stated by Napoleon Beaten in war is he who believes himself beaten" A breakdown in morale is as serious as a shortage of ammunition.
 Consider two very different samples of morale. The Russian Gen. Danigine of the Siberian Army Corps tells us that in the summer of 1917 he had a superiority over his foe in men and in munitions. Both his battaioDs and his guns greatly outnumbered the Germans. And yet he mourns, everything was hurled into the dust because the state of mems souls was beyond description; they did not want to fight. There was nothing anywhere butt cowardice and disor- der" Could there be any doubt of Russian defeat under such condi- tions?
 Compare with that the recent word of Stephane LauZanne, editor of Le Matin of Paris. He is spokesman for a nation that for four terrible years has been holding back, it's invaders with a wall of flesh. "To fight Ger many France will sacrifice the very last of her sons; when she has no more men, the women will rise up; when she has no more women, the children will rise up; when she has no more children, the dead will rise up! Yes, France has made her re- solve to live in freedom, or die! And France will live!"
 Such 8 spirit is wholly invincible. Kulture may make a wilderness out of score of fair provinces, but it will never conquer France. Ever shall it prove true, as writer said of the retreat before the stand at the retreat before the stand at the ] Marne; Bodies fell back. but not hearts,
 Morale. to be secure, must be 1 Men will die in the last ditch only for a cause that reaches their hearts and consciences. We can be led into many a wild scheme through the in l fiuence of mob psychology, and stay in the ranks while we are winning But is is only the loyalty to whicf our souls give full assent that will stand punishment When the un- righteous cause loses headway, watcl out for deserters.
 | Will any clear thinking neutra deny that the moral advantage il the present struggle is with the al lied peoples? Surely these have { right to holy enthusiasm far sur all his juHker theology, can create in his followers. The words of Jehoval to that fine old warrior. Joshua should ring in our own ears-"Havt
 not I commanded thee? Be stron; and of good courage; be not afreaid l neither be thou dismayed; for thu
 Lord thy God is with thee whitherso
 ever thou goest."
 confidence in the triumph of ou
 righteous cause must sweep the lant
 like sacred flame Only so can WI
 prosecute the war with full vigoI
 And at this point each one can helI
 Be a creator of munitions, if vol
 can, but be a creator of morale, any
 way, in your own community. On
 has a responsibility in this regar
 for his immediate environment.
 pessimist is like a rotten apple in
 barrel, not only of no value itsel1
 but starting other apples to rottin
 also. One resolute individual, on tn other hand, may spread about him
 perfect contagion of courage. What great and needed service may be ren
 dered in this hour by such as ar not mere jolliers or savers of pleasar things but really stalwart hearte because grounded in the convictio that
 , Right is right, since God is God And right the day shall win. To doubt would be diSloyalty,
 To falter would be sin.