“If a man die, shall he live?” Aye—and that more abundantly!

We know that “except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but, if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Nature is constantly demonstrating Life as the manifestation of Death. Nature’s laws are the laws of God, to whom are all people subject. So, man, is passing his progress, into a higher, or lower, form of spirit continuance—as he may have chosen and prepared.

They do not die,—who instil love of country, and the highest degrees of patriotism, in those who live.

The materialistic profiteer, who shirks his duty, and fattens on the soldier’s blood,—will die and pass away as a clod. But the soldier whose inspiring deeds will warm the blood of future generations has started a flame that will burn forever.

When the materialist has cashed his coupons, he will find the money won’t keep his body from being eaten up by the maggots. It may buy him a tombstone, but not the respect of loyal patriots who are willing to give their all, in order to live up to the traditions of those gone before.

Stocks and bonds have a market value—but Honor and Liberty are beyond price.

Spiritual life and power are of far greater value than vast material wealth.

It was the materialism of the Kaiser that started this war. He cannot stop it. Why? Because he is confronted by the millions of dead bodies on the battlefields of France whose spirits demand they shall not die in vain. He is confronted by the spirit of Jeanne d’Arc,—by the awakening spirit of 76.

These spirits are hovering around, stimulating, inspiring the living to yet nobler deeds of heroism.

Indomitable, incorruptible, they flock to the living who fight to the death, and every death brings forth another living soldier.

America, sunk in materialism, now hearkens to the call of her forefathers.

The spirit of Washington, Hamilton, Greene, Lafayette, Rochambeau, Lincoln, Sherman and Grant is calling us to the post of duty.

The stern hand of fate has elevated us to a level from which we can see the great ideals we have forgotten—Honor, Patriotism, Equality.

Those are the level foundation on which democracy rests,—not on wealth and inequality.

We must stamp out materialism and save the soul of America.

While we are making the world safe for democracy, let us make democracy safe for the world.

While the soldier kills the German junker with the bullet the civilian must kill off the political and profiteering junker with the ballot.

Instead of Safety First, we must place America First.