Part 18 (1/2)

Peace reigned triumphant. On the quiet air I heard the merry laughter of the child, And the great sigh of grat.i.tude that rose From all the mother-hearts of all the world.

”_Shall it be Peace or War_?”-- Once more the voice,-- ”_To one man is it given to decide_, THOU ART THE MAN! _The scales are in_ THY _hand.

Think well, and say,--Shall it be Peace or War?

As thou, shalt say so shall it be with thee_.”

But, ere the answer came, all vanished like A sc.r.a.p of paper in a fire of coals.

Then, with a crackling peal, the thick black vail That hangs before the face of men was rent, And in the instant lightning flash I saw,--

A chamber hung with black and heaped with flowers, Where candles tall flashed white on watchers' swords.

High on a high-raised bier lay one at rest-- Crosses and orders on his quiet breast, Head proudly cus.h.i.+oned on his country's flag, Hands calmly folded on his helmet's crest, His back to earth, his mute face turned to heaven,-- Answering the summons of his Over-Lord.

I strained my eyes upon his face to learn Thereon his answer. But the dark vail dropped, And left me wondering what his word had been.

Had I but read his face I should have known Who lay there.--Man, like other men? Or one Who grasped the greater things, and by his will Brought Peace on Earth and drew Earth nearer Heaven.

The bells beat softly on the midnight air Proclaiming the New Time? Shall it be Peace?

A voice within me cried and would not cease, ”_One man could do it if he would but dare_.”

NOTE.--This was written in 1898, at the time of the Tzar's Rescript to the Powers suggesting a Peace Conference with a view to the lightening of the ever-growing burden of arms.

The possibilities have changed their faces, but at heart the great problem remains much the same. And above all, the great fact remains that if Great Britain, Germany, Russia and the United States joined hands for a World Peace, they could ensure it. Germany is still mistrustful. On her lies a great responsibility.

YOUR PLACE

Is your place a small place?

Tend it with care!-- He set you there.

Is your place a large place?

Guard it with care!-- He set you there.

Whatever your place, it is Not yours alone, but His Who set you there.

IN NARROW WAYS

Some lives are set in narrow ways, By Love's wise tenderness.