LOVE OF COUNTRY.

Love of country is the life of war;

Love not your country then,

If loving it should lead you into war;

Oh do not be deceived — Love is broader,—

Love is broader than a wheatfield,

Love is broader than a landscape;

Do not be misled — love the world;

Begin at home — love your birthplace,

Then your county, then your state,

Then your country, then the countries

Of your brothers and sisters, who look

So much like you — like hands, like feet,

Like ears, like eyes, like lips; like sorrows,

Like hopes, like joys; like body, mind

And spirit, for the spirit of one man

Differeth not from the spirit of another,

Or high or low, or rich or poor, being

The same yesterday, to-day and forever.

Love of country is the life of war;

Love not your country then,

If loving it should lead you into war —

Should lead you into hatred

Of your neighbor's country — lead you

To strike down even unto death

Your brother who so resembles you,

Made in your image, and in the likeness

Of the living God.