p. 14 | Ten Thousand Slain by LILLIAN CONNERLY

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 19, 1914

“Ten Thousand Slain”

By LILLIAN CONNERLY

LILLIAN CONNERLY

TONIGHT there lie upon the battle field Ten thousand slain, the noblest of the land; Clear-eyed, large-brained, endowed with cunning art To thrive in craft and commerce and command The forces of Dame Nature, to unlock Their mighty storehouses of wealth and spread O’er all the land plenty and smiling thrift.

If one of these, the noblest work of God, Had been thus ruthlessly deprived of life, And snatched from the bosom of his home And needful duties for his commonwealth, The spark of wrath would kindle in all breasts, And for the deed a recompense demand.

Who did this awful crime? What monster fiend, With power that is equal to the power of these Ten thousand slain, has laid them in the dust? No fiend at all, but other noble men, As noble, useful, and as wise as these, Armed with hell’s instruments of doom and death, Went forth in deadly conflict; armed alike And with premeditated aim to kill, They fought like demons, till with demon’s art They triumphed—but ten thousand men are slain.

If he who slew one man must give account To family and commonwealth bereft, Shall no account be rendered for these slain? Ask Him who judges nations as one man. Humanity the awful toll must pay Of war declared—the legal right to kill. But thus man’s wrath fulfills the prophecy.

Ye who have known these things, be diligent; For He who promised will no more delay, But come to recompense o’er all the earth For evil done, and bring the just reward.

Bocas del Toro, Panama.