THE TWO ARMIES by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 17, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 41.

THE TWO ARMIES.

By Editor

[The following beautiful little poem was recently reprinted in our Dumb Animals for our “armed Sunday schools.” There is point in Mr. Angell’s suggestion. Just now, when almost everything has “Christian” or Christianity” connected with it in some sort of way, we have in the churches of our land, dedicated to the Prince of Peace, the marshaling of “Boys’ Brigades” and other semi-military organizations. When Holmes’ little poem on the “Two Armies” is read, let the reader think of the condition of things noted above. Christianity is responsible for the poem, but it is safe to say that it did not inspire the “Boys’ Brigades” or “Armed Sunday schools.”]

As LIFE’s unending column pours, Two marshaled hosts are seen,— Two armies on the trampled shores That death flows dark between.

One marches to the drumbeat’s roll, The wide-mouthed clarion’s bray, And bears upon a crimson scroll, “Our glory is to slay.”

One moves in silence by the stream, With sad, yet watchful eyes, Calm as the patient planet’s gleam That walks the clouded skies.

Along its front no sabers shine, No blood-red pennons wave; Its banner bears the single line, “Our duty is to save.”

For those the sculptor’s laureled bust, The builder’s marble piles, The anthems pealing o’er their dust Through long cathedral aisles.

For these the blossom-sprinkled turf That floods the lonely graves When Spring rolls in her sea-green surf In flowery-foaming waves.

Two paths lead upward from below, And angels wait above, And count each burning life-drop’s flow, Each falling tear of Love.

While Valor’s haughty champions wait Till all their scars are shown, Love walks unchallenged through the gate, To sit beside the throne. —Oliver Wendell Holmes.