WANTED-600,000 MEN by J. O. C.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 6, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 39.

WANTED—600,000 MEN

By J. O. C.

In a "War Extra" of September 4, this item was found: "War Secretary Kitchener wants 600,000 men before the middle of the coming week." This additional call for England's young men to follow the many thousands already sent to the carnage fields of Europe, was a startling summons, which brought forth expressions of surprise on the part of some, and of ominous forebodings of others. A small number, however, saw in it an omen of prophetic latter-day fulfilment. The following verses by Edwin Kingsley Hurlbut, which appeared in the Los Angeles Tribune for September 13, set forth the awful condition calling for this great national sacrifice, and then, as though comprehending something of inspired prophecy relating to this time, ask the great question about Armageddon's era, which so many are now studying. Here are the interesting lines which so vividly portray the dire situation:

"Wanted, six hundred thousand more Of Britain's best and bravest sons, O'er fields of France their blood to pour, And feed their flesh to German guns. Ten thousand now are lying slain Of those they sent but yesterday, And thousands more on beds of pain With shattered limbs their tribute pay.

"Ten thousand rush to fill the breach Where Death's hand reaps the human grain, And farther than the eye can reach Fresh victims surge across the plain. Into this gorge of fire and blood Vast armies pour their battle tide In vain attempt to stem the flood And save from stain each nation's pride.

" 'Wanted.' Who wants them and for what? 'Lord Kitchener calls them for King George!' And forth they swarm, from peasant hut, From city mart and mine and forge; From Scotland's heathered hills and vales, Killarney's lakes and Shannon's banks, With dauntless sons and sires of Wales.— Onward they press to fill the ranks.

"The columns march, the ships are manned, For England's honor, pride, and name. Midst ringing cheers they leave the strand, Some doomed to death, some marked for fame. But who shall ease the orphan's pain And heal the widow's broken heart, And till the fields and sow the grain, When crimson war has played its part?

"And where is God? Each nation prays To Him for victory in the fight. And where is Christ, whom war betrays, Quenching with blood each beacon light? Is this the 'Armageddon' doom In Revelation's book foretold? Soon, bursting through war's lurid gloom, Will earth her Saviour's form behold."

J. O. C.