Woman has come into power in politics at a time when she can aid in the promotion of world peace by compelling the establishment of machinery which will substitute reason for force in the settlement of international disputes.  Her first great triumph at the polls may be the fulfilling of the prophecy, spoken more than two thousand years ago, that swords shall be beaten into ploughshares and that nations shall learn war no more.  She will be repaid for all her patience and her waiting if now, by her ballot, she can make it unnecessary for another mother’s son to be offered upon the altar of Mars.  That this nation is in a better position than ever before to lead the world in every good cause is due to the gifts that have come with American citizenship, only three of which I have had time to mention.

Every citizen should be honest with himself, examine his own heart and answer to his own conscience.  What estimate does he place upon the education which he has received?  What value does he put upon the religion that controls his heart?  How highly does he prize the form of government under which he lives?  Let him put his own appraisement upon these three great gifts; these sums added together will represent his acknowledged indebtedness to society; then let him resolve to pay so much of this incalculable debt as is within his power.

We live in a goodly land.  No king can shape our nation’s destiny; not even a President can have the final word as to what our nation is to be.  Each citizen, no matter how humble that citizen may be, can have a part.  Let us do our part; joining together, let us solve the problems with which we have to deal, and, by so doing, bless our country and, through it, other lands.  Let us join together and raise the light of our civilization so high that its rays, illumining every land, may lead the world to those better things for which the world is praying.

VIII

“HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE”

By way of introduction, allow me to say that I fully recognize the difference between a presentation of fundamental principles and an application of those principles to life.  While an application of principles arouses greater interest it is more apt to bring out differences of opinion and to excite controversy.  But the Christian is always open-minded because he desires to know the right and to do it.  He “prove(s) all things and hold(s) fast that which is good.”  Therefore, he welcomes light on every subject, from every source.  It is in this spirit that I speak to you and it is this spirit that I invoke.  I speak from conviction, formed after prayerful investigation, and am as anxious to be informed as I am to inform.