Civilization

[1931 re-edit]

1 
      Prologue
Civilization has been mis-
named in our modern times,
Not until Hatred - Greed - 
Envy is plucked from the
heart of men can we hope
for Universal Peace - for
     Civilization.

2
Can we call ourselves 
civilized when we shut our
eyes against the command
of the Prince of Peace?
"Love thy neighbor as
      thyself?"

3
Picture his agonized soul
as he views the mangled 
bodies of thousands that
strew the battlefields, - of
desolate homes and ruined
        lives.

4
If only those who profess to 
follow Him, would practice
what they preach, we would
at last see the rising dawn of
       Civilization.

5
To that noble band of
earnest workers, who are
bravely striving to bring about
everlasting Peace, this Picture
  is humbly dedicated.

6
Bathed in the sunlight
of peace and content-
ment is the little city of
        Nurma.

7
"War - why should
    this be!"

8
The seat of pomp and 
       power.

9
Luther Rolfe, an ardent
follower of Christ -- an
advocate of Universal
        Peace.

10
"We are being forced into 
War by a monarch, ill-advised
  by the Military powers."

11
"These pacifists are the ruin
of any country. War is neces-
  sary to any nation that
    wishes to survive."

12
"Do not allow hatred and 
revenge to possess you.
 Let us have peace."

13
"Let us one and all stand 
shoulder to shoulder in the
battle of Right against 
        Might!"

14
"Will the cries of the widows 
  and orphans cancel any 
        war debt?"

15
 Parliament, certain of
the King's consent, drafts
    articles of war.

16
  Count Ferdinand - an
inventor in the service of
       the King.

17
"His Majesty demands
your presence at once."

18
"Prove to your King that 
your invention is all that
you claim it to be, and I 
will gratify your every 
         wish."

19
The fianc�e of the Count
       Ferdinand.

20
"You will have my Royal
consent to marry any
woman of your choice -
tho she be of the common 
       people!"

21
  The votes of the governing 
body is delivered to the King.

22
"Your Majesty -- war is
the only solution. We 
await your decision!"

23
 Surrounded by fame
seeking warriors, and
mindful of his own ambi-
tions, the King readily
     consents.

24
  At the King's com-
mand these sons of men
leave to do battle with
  other sons of men.

25
"Curses upon those respon-
sible for sending these men
     to their death."

26
In the gathering twilight
on the horizon rim, rode
grim spectres of death.

27
After nineteen centu-
ries of Christian spirit, its
mockery is laid bare in
the sight of men thirsty
      for blood.

28
Civilization shows no mercy
to the weak and defenseless.

29
Blood spurting from their
 wounds, they pray for
        death -

30
The King's proud army is
thrown back - demoralized.

31
"You appear able bodied -
   we need more men."

32
"You cannot take him.
 He belongs to me."

33
"No! He belongs to his 
       country."

34
"You don't mean to take
      me, do you?"

35
"My poor mother is helpless.
 What is to become of her?"

36
"Look, granpa - they are
     taking Hubert!"

37
"Daddy! Daddy! Don't go!
You'll never come back 
        to me!"

38
"Ferdinand is going on a
  mission of - death."

39
"This is the emblem of an
unseen army of women
striving to bring -
     "Peace on Earth"."

40
"The cries of outraged
women reach all parts of
the earth. Wars must be 
       stopped!"

41
"Have you the courage to 
join this noble band of 
        women?"

42
"Everything is arranged for
your departure. Here are 
     your papers."

43
Their last meeting.

44
"It is war, my dear. My
reward will be the King's
         favor."

45
"Yours is but an earthly 
King, while mine is King
of peace and brotherly 
         love."

46
"How can you prove a 
traitor to a cause so
unjust - so unholy?"

47
"I can't! I can't! I must 
         go on!"

48
Torn between thoughts
of her pleading and his
 duty to his country.

49
"Stop! I am in command."

50
A conscience in conflict -
as he pictures his orders
   being carried out.

51
"Stop! Not a single torpedo
    against women and 
       children!"

52
"We are not butchers!"

53
"Have you gone mad?
 Obey your orders!"

54
"I am obeying orders from
    - a Higher power."

55
"I am in command. You
must obey my orders."

56
"I will kill the first man
        who moves!"

57
At death's door.

58
"Administer your best
medical skill. This man
      must live."

59
His soul seeks a haven 
       of rest.

60
  And encounters the 
Christ who, himself died
that others might live.

61
"Peace to thee, child, for
in thy love for humanity is
     thy redemption."

62
"Here is he who scattered 
 the seeds of hate and 
    mocked at love."

63
"In thy earthly body will I
return, and with thy voice
    plead for peace."

64
"Much evil is being wrought 
       in my name."

65
"A miracle has happened.
   The Count lives!"

66
As the giant guns toll
 their death knell -

67
- The sea exacts 
    its toll.

68
Filled with the awfulness
of war, and mindful of his
subjects, the King yields.

69
The enemy offers terms 
of peace based on human 
        rights.

70
He who returned in the
Count's body mingles
 with the populace.

71
 "Count Ferdinand must be 
crazy. He talks of nothing 
       but peace."

72
"The Count is very bold -
preaching peace in the 
shadow of the Palace."

73
"Spread through all the land
the gospel of love, charity
         and peace."

74
 "Can ye then expect
happiness unto thyselves
when ye bear hatred in
    thy breasts?"

75
"Your Majesty - Count
Ferdinand is inciting the
    people to riot."

76
"Blessed are the peace-
makers - and cursed be
he who raises a hand
against his fellow man."

77
Suffering the taunts of
those who would again
     crucify Him.

78
"Bring the Count
  before me."

79
Again He sinks under the 
  cross of prejudice.

80
BEFORE A MODERN
    PILATE.

81
"Your Majesty, be considerate 
  of the Count who is not 
          himself."

82
"Traitor! Stand before me 
and hear your sentence!"

83
"IT IS DEATH!"

84
 "And may GOD have 
mercy on your soul."

85
"Repent for thy sins,
Oh King, or thou
Shalt lose thy soul!"

86
A Heavenly light bathes 
  him with its glory.

87
New recruits for the cause
of peace join the invasion of
       the Capital.

88
 The flood of peace
bearers sweep onward
   to the Palace.

89
  Willing to make any 
sacrifice to further their 
        cause.

90
The mothers of men plead
  for the war to end.

91
"Your Majesty - the Count
Ferdinand has escaped the
    death sentence -"

92
The King in humility, feels
the presence of a greater
         power.

93
In consternation he sees as
     in a trance -

94
"Oh King, let me reveal the
 harvest thou hast sown."

95
Then some mighty 
    force --

96
"Look thou upon this and
      ponder well."

97
"See here thy handiwork?"

98
"BREAD! BREAD! WE
  ARE STARVING!"

99
"Under thy reign thy
domain hath become
 a raging hell!"

100
"The laughter of a happy 
people is hushed and in
its place is heard the 
 moans of the dying."

101
THE BOOK OF
 JUDGEMENT.

102
"Those whose deeds 
have been weighed in 
the balance are re-
   corded here."

103
"And is my name among 
        them?"

104
"Yea, verily! Upon a page
stained with the blood of
       thy people."

105
"And as ye have denied
them peace, so must ye 
 be caused to suffer."

106
O'er the battlefield passed
the Christ among the victims 
        of greed.

107
"Gentlemen, it is my wish to 
sign this peace pact without
       reservations."

108
"During my reign it is my
command that my sub-
jects enjoy peace and 
      good will."

109
The cry of woe is
forever hushed -

110
  The blare of the war 
bugle has died and in its
place we hear the note of 
  the shepherd's horn.