Life, 1915-11-04 · page 40 of 56
Life — November 4, 1915 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This poem, credited to "The Editor," is political satire targeting the contradiction between Christian pacifist rhetoric and militaristic preparation. The phrase "keep your powder dry" (meaning stay ready for war) is juxtaposed ironically against hymn lyrics and commandments about loving one's neighbor. The satire works by repetition: each stanza pairs peaceful religious sentiment with military language. "Love your neighbor as yourself / But—train your guns on him" exposes what the author sees as hollow piety masking aggressive nationalism. The historical context suggests this addresses pre-World War I or World War I-era American society—a time when churches and civic leaders preached peace while nations armed themselves. The satire implies that Americans (and Western civilization generally) were hypocritically combining Christian values with preparation for industrial-scale warfare. The other items on this page are advertisements unrelated to the satire's message.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
872 CONTEMFOR ARIES | The Funny Fellows Funny people here below! For only hear ‘em cry: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow, But keep your powder dry!” * We race for fame and worldly pelf ‘Neath cloudless skies, or dim; It's “ Love your neighbor as yourself, But—train your guns on him!” Good brethren all, for peace we call— In love we live and die. But—" Strengthen every fort and wall, And keep your powder dry!" —The Editor. 1s with a dash of Abbott's Bitters are appetiz- ingand healthtal, Sample of Ditters by mall, 25 cts, In stamps W. Abbott & Co., Baltimore, Md. A Real Reason for Grief “Poor Jeannette is still grieving over her husband's death.” “Yes; one would almost think he had taken his money to Heaven with him.” —Kansas City Star. Th poughtful Mother andine for her children that she ‘were pure and whol ww package for the kiddies of luvenile Candies afrade especially to meet this want thoughtful mother. 25 cents, or ale by 6000 agents throush- tthe U.S. and at our Stoves. K & TILFORD NEW YORK Ube os ‘Sweater—In continous, use tince 1897, . Designed for duck shooting.” Suitable for ed Wialtnd Pasa Ree. Peony 95:00; Boot ms pee $5.00" Bost let The Need The Make The Price” tells all about it. Yours for « postcard. Address F. Webber, Mfr. 418 Gratiot Aven Detrelt, Bled, Sailed on the Websterian The bank cashier, disguised, was board- ing the steamer with his loot when he noticed a man standing by the rail who looked like a detective, “Do you think that when he sees me ‘on the seas he will seize me?” he asked of his accomplice. “T apprehend you need not apprehend that he will apprehend you.” responded the other comfortingly. —Boston Transcript. BACARDE Makes The Perfect Cocktail, Rickey oe Mighball, Fey Ut Tue minister of a small Missouri town called the grocer on the telephone the other day and gave him the following order: “Send a dollar's worth of meat out to my house. If there is no one at home, just poke it through the keyhole.” —Harper's Weekly, HER HEART VM MERE FoR LIFE™ A Fownes sign on the counter of the retailer is a good sign that the gentleman behind the counter wants your “‘return’”’ trade. The glove dealer who has confidence in Fownes gloves knows from experience that Fownes gloves do not disappoint. Your confidence is merited by that kind of a dealer. | “ROUND THE WORLD TOURS The Best Regular Services to KQYPT, INDIA, CHINA, PHIL PINES, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND. Round World Trips and Winter Tours in INDIA. PEN- INSULAR & ORIENTAL 8. N.CO- Pull Information from CUNARD LINE, 24 State St., N.Y.