Part 5 (2/2)

VI

World Citizens

[E]PRECEPTS FOR WORLD CITIZENS

Never allow the glory of the world vision to keep you from performing your daily duty, be it humble or great; remembering that you are a part of the whole and that the fullness of the world's life will not be expressed if one member of the body fails to perform its function. Remember that vision is worthless unless it helps you to take hold of the handle of service with a firm grasp and a new enthusiasm; but also that it is necessary to enter into the spirit of the world vision a few moments at the dawn of each day.

Do not be deceived into looking upon national bigotry as patriotism. For the interests of humanity are always primary to the interests of the nation. What is good for the whole world is good for each continent and government.

Begin to urge a national individualism among established nations which insists less on rights and more on duties; which recognizes that the greed for territory is the ”original sin of the nations.” G.o.d divided the world into nations so that they might help, not destroy each other; and when they admit this they will begin to inaugurate essential world democracy.

Cultivate the spirit of ”give and take”; recognizing that there is good to be absorbed from other nations into the international life as well as from your own.

Do not labor for a world peace which is to depend on ”treaties, or skillful diplomacy or mutual fear and equal preparedness for war;”

but for one which is based ”on the common interests and sympathies and on the mutual needs and services of a world organism, in which each nation is a member of a world body-politic.”

Urge a more mature development of an international conscience; remembering that an ethical standard can be established for the world as it was evolved from the individual to the tribal and then to the national standard of ethics.

Do not forget that a man of another race is not a different kind of animal than yourself. For one has well said: ”The strangest thing to me is that people who are so different are so much alike.”

Encourage the spread of the new knowledge which has given to us a clearer understanding of disease and through eugenics a vital interest in those racial qualities which shall improve future generations, remembering that when the bodies and minds of the races are at their best they will be more open to reason and more cordial to the spirit of harmony among the nations.

Do not be too much alarmed about the talk of foreign labor, or interracial marriage. But take up the torch of enlightenment and fulfill today's duty, remembering that in due time the co-operative council of the Occidental and Oriental mind will see that all problems are justly solved according to the best interests of the whole race.

Insist that as soon as possible there be inaugurated a permanent international court at the Hague, which shall be endowed with the power to act as well as discuss, in behalf of the interests of the whole world.

Finally, put on the whole armor of a faith in a deity which is not tribal nor national but the G.o.d of humanity, that you may be able to defeat prejudice. Stand, therefore, having your manhood girt about with a broad intelligence; having on the breastplate of righteousness wrought from the essential morality of the races.

Having your feet shod with the gospel of world peace, your judgment made discreet with the gospel of contact and your soul made heroic for service by an invincible faith in a better humanity, such as was possessed by the Son of Man.

BEAUt.i.tUDES FOR WORLD STATESMEN

Blessed are the poor in spirit. For in leaving the prejudice of restricted nationalism they will gain the inspiration of the world view and possess more of the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the meek, those possessing the childlike but world view point of Christ, for they shall inherit the environment of the earth.

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