Part 3

Many governments which live under the standard of a republic are not democratic in spirit at all. Mexico has virtually been a despotism. The Spanish-American states, especially until recent years, were nothing but a specie of military tyranny. And France has often been only a bureaucracy in structure and in state.

By essential democracy we mean the gradual triumph of the principles which emphasize the equality of man before God, and which are everywhere coming into increasing recognition throughout the world.

One author says that before the middle of the nineteenth century all the great European states, with the exception of Russia and Turkey, had adopted a constitution limiting the power of the crown "and investing a considerable share of political power in the people, and in most of them a representative legislature of the parliamentary or British type was adopted." While in Switzerland, Norway and Sweden alone on the continent democracy has reached a type of true efficiency. And these triumphs must be remembered by the people for the sake of future inspiration and courage; and because it may help one to interpret the present European war as an agony incident to the progress of growth.

It is true that the victory of the principle of democracy has been checked by the persisting of the military spirit in Europe and the wonderful industrial expansion in both Europe and America. In England also the triumph "has been delayed by the prevalence of aristocratic traditions which still grant privileges and rights to a social class based on berth and inherited wealth." While in American the simplicity of the colonial life and the absence of the people from the aristocratic classes of Europe promoted a vigorous and commanding growth of the democratic ideas. And this is why the nations of the world in their struggle for democracy are looking to America, because she has the most nearly of all nations realized the democratic ideal.

In light of what has already been accomplished, how inspiring then becomes the lure of the ideal of world democracy. Essentially it is splendidly possible. The people crave it because it is God-born. They love to think and work and vote for that far-off divine event. And more than that the words, monarchy and oligarchy, are so out of date that they are anxious to be in spirit and letter citizens of a republic. And wherever the leaven is working thrones are in danger, because great things are going to happen on this God-guided globe, in the interest of humanity.

Let it be remembered that there are fifty recognized governments in the world; and that of this number twenty-six are republics, twenty limited monarchies, with democratic features, and only four absolute monarchies. The very thought of this is an inspiration and shows that all the nations are rapidly moving in the direction of essential world democracy.

A PRAYER FOR WORLD CITIZENS

Our Father, who art in heaven--the God of humanity--hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in the whole earth as it is in heaven. Give the nations this day their daily bread; And forgive them their trespasses as they forgive the nations that trespass against them. And lead them not into the temptation of conquest or self aggrandizement, but deliver them through their rulers from this evil. For thine is the world kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

At the Congress of Religions held at the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893, when the question came up as to what would be an appropriate devotional appeal to be used in opening the Congress, the representatives of every religion and faith of the world unanimously agreed that the Lord's Prayer found in the Sermon on the Mount would be acceptable to all. And the one given above is an adaption from the Lord's Prayer, given in order that it may be seen how well its spirit could be adapted to world democracy.

FOOTNOTES:

[C] An address delivered in the interest of the peace movement a week previous to the observance of "California Ripe Olive Day."

[D] Suggested by the words of Timaeus of Locris.

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.

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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.

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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." God 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.

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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."

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Finally, put on the whole armor of a faith in a deity which is not tribal nor national but the God 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.

BEAUTITUDES 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.

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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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Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness. For the ethics of true religion is to be sifted from the chaff of superstition, and righteousness is to cover the whole earth as the waters cover the seas.

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Blessed are the merciful nations. For they shall obtain mercy in return from other nations, and learn that impulsive retaliation is too costly and that patient and honorable conciliation makes for world peace and national prosperity.

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Blessed are the peacemakers. For now that the nations have entered through the united seas into a neighborhood; they--by encouraging disarmament and teaching the gospel of contact as well as good will--will hasten the day when the nations can live together without war in the spirit of council and peace.

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Blessed is he who is persecuted by people whose minds are filled with race prejudice, national pride and selfishness; for he has discovered the secret of seeing good in all nationalities, of detecting the soul behind the color, and shall be honored by humanity as a pioneer of international brotherhood.

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Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for so persecuted they Him who said "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven and in the councils of the world.

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Blessed are the pure in heart. For they shall see God as transcendant and immanent in the resurrected Christ. They shall find His spirit in all life and behold His glory wherever they journey throughout the wide world.

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Blessed is this noble brotherhood of manly souls. For ye are not only the salt of the school, the city, the state and nation; but also of the earth. Yours is not the light of bigoted patriotism. But ye are the light of the world. And your city placed upon a hill cannot be hid.

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Blessed are these pathfinders who do not fear the seas, for they have discovered that the very waters are resolutely moving toward freedom; and they are being led forward by a pillar of light into the promised land of the essentially unified races.

THE WORLD'S NEIGHBORHOOD

Remember that a new world neighborhood has been created, bringing important points on the globe into closer proximity by one-half to two-thirds of the former distance, through the short route of the Panama Canal.

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Therefore, a new commandment is given to each nation, namely, "to love thy neighbor as thyself," by entering by thought and co-operation into such policies as will make for the best interest of the entire new world neighborhood.

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Do not think that other nations are unapproachable. But remember that North and South America, with all Europe, "are more closely related in point of time and common interests than were the original Thirteen States when the necessities of commerce forced them to form the compact of the Union; that the two geographical extremes of the colonies were as far separated as Berlin and the Barbary States or as London and the Black Sea."

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Do not think that the short route through the canal is merely a path for commerce's ships, or only a highway for navies or state dignitaries; but remember also that it is a short route to the Hague and international congresses.

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And do not fail to recall that brave men opened up this international highway--not through forests or smoking prairies, but through mountains, swamps, rocks and hills--in order to hasten the day of essential world democracy.

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So think clearly enough and you will surely see that the completion of the Panama Canal is virtually the discovery of a basis of essential world unity. He who walks by land or sails by sea can now read the will of God.

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With increasing numbers we are now arriving at the day that Whitman speaks of in the following words:

"The main shapes arise! Shapes of democracy total, result of centuries Shapes ever projecting other shapes, Shapes of turbulent manly cities, Shapes of the friends and home-givers of the whole earth, Shapes bracing the earth and braced by the whole earth."

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The key that is in tune with all other keys of its own instrument is in tune with all harmony on the earth. And the man that has attuned his life to justice and liberty in the community in which he lives is in accord with freemen in every land, loves the vision of world-wide liberty and prays for its realization.

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Tagore, the Hindu poet, says: "I have learned though our tongues are different and our habits dissimilar, at the bottom our hearts are one. The monsoon clouds, generated on the banks of the Nile, fertilize the far distant shores of the Ganges; ideas may have to cross from east to western shores to find a welcome in men's hearts. East is east and west is west--God forbid that it should be otherwise--but the twain must meet in amity, peace and mutual understanding; and their meeting will be all the more fruitful because of their differences; it must lead to holy wedlock before the common altar of humanity."

FOOTNOTE:

[E] I am indebted to Josiah Strong for some of the suggestions in these precepts.

VII

The Sea's Highest Decree

WHAT ARE THE SEAS ABOUT?

The deeper one goes into the subject of world democracy the more one is convinced of the necessity of calling to one's aid the help of true religion in formulating a world consciousness.

Walt Whitman, whom many may regard as somewhat unwise in some of his utterances, was absolutely right when he intimated that world democracy could not be formulated without religion.

And today there is nothing that is going to help people so effectively to grasp and feel at home with the ideal of an essential union of the nations, as the modern teaching of the immanence of God. If we are a part of the whole world, and if God is in the seas as well as the flowers and hills then we will not dread them, for they are our inspiration and helpers.

Not only does the teaching of the immanence of God in the seas help the nations into closer fellowship. But what is more than that, it helps the soul of man to find in the waters a purpose. The seas themselves seem to be up to something.

No man felt this secret of nature with keener appreciation than the late Prof. J. J. Blaisdell of Beloit College, Wis. For in one of his lectures, the notes of which, I still have, he says:

"Nature is expressive of a purpose. And no one has gotten the good of nature until he has got the momentum of the mighty work that it is working. Its face is steadily set forward. It is not static. It is not a current running down. It is an achievement. When you stop and think of it you are led to reflect that its onward movement is so stupendous toward the working out of a far off divine event that if you should throw yourself across its track you would be annihilated in a moment.

"I have stood on the shore of Lake Michigan on a stormy day in December and the rhythm of that lake seemed to be the echo of the march of the universe treading its victorious way into the future. It is about something--its face is steadfastly set to go to Jerusalem. The firmness of great souls is but its child and copy; and responded to, it is the breeder of great souls.

"Now until we become alive to the expressiveness of purpose in nature, a purpose expressed in feeling and ready to lackey man in his pilgrimage, we fail to understand nature and lose much of the blessedness of living in this world.

"And my simple question is, how comes about this expressiveness? Why, simply there is a person who is projecting himself through this embodiment and it is the revelation of him, just as our friends' ways express the person of the friend behind them."

How grand are those words! And how helpful to men who desire the very co-operation of the seas in fulfilling their plans in unifying the races! For if Prof. Blaisdell was thus inspired with the thought of the co-operation of the waters of Lake Michigan with the historic purposes of man, what should the true freeman feel as he looks out over the Pacific? I can only tell you what I have felt in the words on the following page:

THE ALTRUISM OF THE SEA

Free from the intrusion of littleness, Standing on the shores of our great Western Sea, My groping thoughts, O sea, Now grapple with thy tempestuous waves. My ecstatic soul argues with thy gales for an interpretation of the message flowing clean and strong from the "million-acred meadows" of the out-lying seas. My straining ear listens to the clamorous, reiterating almost uninvokable voice of thy tides. For able to speak to man, like brooks and flowers, I am inquiring, what you are about, the knowledge of your place in the amelioration of the world?

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And lo, now nature's cord is struck, The secret word is caught, And this is what I hear As again I plead, "thou are not a purposeless, lifeless plangent deep. O great sea, who's purpose doest thou fulfill? What are thou almightily about, what doing?"

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"Doing!" seems to murmur its sustained voice with its rhythmic storming of my soul, "Doing! I am doing what man is doing, what the nations are evolving, what the eternal, creative spirit living within me is urging, I am resolutely moving--crest, wave, tide and ponderous deep in sympathy with world harmony, toward democracy. Moving from ponderous deep, tide, wave and crest toward distant lands. Eager--so providenced--to carry to all pagan shores, The ships, the statesmen and the life giving trade winds of democracy."

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"It is true, astonishingly," I said, "Yes now I sense it and I feel it. And what an unconquerable will, what a purpose! The very shores, they tremble with its resolution, For with man even the seas are sympathically for freemen at work!"

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And then looking outward and skyward, the God of our sea going fathers, the spirit of the very God of Hosts, awoke this stronger message to my thought: "Fear not, O sons of Pilgrims For the waters engulfed not Columbus' freemen when they sailed a shoreless sea, Nor was the Mayflower immeshed in the black jaws of an angry deep. And yours are ships of fate! He who omnipotently palms the oceans pilots them. To let them pass--O ships--to bear them safely on, The tides, the storms and the winds are stayed.

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"Move on, move on befriended by an illimitable peace. Move on, move on to every slave desecrated shore! Move on, the harmless, but forward momentum of these tides will take you on and on. For the Creator worketh hitherto and they must work. For He hath given "to the sea His decree." Move on to Hindu, Confucian and Teutonic shores. O ships of freemen, sail on!"

"Winnow me through with thy keen, clean breath Wind with tang of the sea."

--Ketchum.

VIII

Helps to Interpretation

HOW TO BECOME A WORLD CITIZEN

To become a good world citizen, it is not necessary to distribute oneself by travel everywhere--although travel is most valuable--any more than it is absolutely necessary for a worthy citizen of the United States to cross the continent or have homes in both California and New York, desirable as that may be.

Nor would one lose any interest in his nation--remembering that only a bigoted and selfish nationality does harm; and that even in a federation of the nations of the world each individual nation, like each individual State in the Union, would have its own interests and would have to do its part towards expressing the life of the whole.

Of course with the realization of a federation of the world in the future, there would be public world citizens as well as private world citizens, just as there are public and private citizens in every nation; and the public world leaders should necessarily have a higher training, a wider experience and a broader travel than the private world citizen, judging from the standpoint of leadership alone.

But independent of these things it should be remembered that every man--private or public--can acquire full world citizenship by learning to think in world terms and developing the world consciousness which makes you feel that you are a necessary part of all that exists. And this can be done by developing an unprejudiced love for humanity, by persistently opposing war, by keeping in touch with world statesmen and reading world literature, by acquiring a love for nature and the seas which comes from a faith in God, by helping to unify the world's languages and religions, by advocating constantly a central world government for the nations, by traveling when one can and by making it as easy for people to travel as possible, by attending all public meetings that deal with international movements, by never losing sight--especially in the hour of perplexity, ridicule and hardship--of the world vision which is championed on these pages and by becoming sanely religious so that you will feel that the same good spirit throbs in your breast that quickens the whole universe into harmony and beauty as well as every flower and living thing on the globe.

Here are some of the exceptional world citizens. Hear them talk in their own words:

Whitman:

"There is no trade nor employment but the young man following it may become a hero, And there is no object so soft but it makes a hub for the wheel'd universe, And I say to any man or woman, let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes."

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Browning's Christian Creed:

"That face far from vanishes, ever grows Or decomposes only to recompose Become my universe that feels and knows."

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Emerson--

"I am the owner of a sphere Of the seven stars and solar year Of Caeser's hand and Plato's brain Of the Lord Christ's heart and Shakespeare's strain."

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