Life, 1916-10-26 · page 16 of 46
Life — October 26, 1916 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **satirical content from WWI-era America**, likely 1918 or later: **"Epitaphs On the Kaiser"**: Life magazine solicited reader-submitted epitaphs mocking Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, offering payment ($5 for two-line verses, $2.50 for longer ones). The published examples celebrate his death/defeat with dark humor—"He lied alive; he now lies dead," and "If three years gone his life had sped / Millions would live who now are dead" (O. Herford). The accompanying illustration shows the Kaiser being literally buried or crushed beneath the earth, depicting German defeat. **"Mr. Moody Repudiates a Bible Scholar"**: This satirizes William R. Moody (running his father's Northfield Schools, a Bible-focused institution) for claiming President Woodrow Wilson is a "national disaster," despite Wilson being exceptionally devout. The satire questions the hypocrisy: if Bible study is the school's mission, why oppose a Biblical president? **"In Trouble"**: A brief humorous anecdote about a schoolboy who lost his "excuse for being born"—a form his parents were supposed to fill out. All reflect American wartime sentiment and domestic politics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
710 “LIFE- Epitaphs On the Kaiser Note: Our friends are invited to contribute tosthis de- artment. For the best epitaphs on the Kaiser in two lines ire will pay five dollars for each one accepted. For the best cpitaphs in more than two lines Lire will pay $2.50 for cach one accepted. No contributions received after noon of Thursday, November 16th will be considered. Address all contributions to the Epitaph Editor of Lire, 17 West 31st Street, New York. ERE lies Willy's mortal clay In its Mother Earth's caresses. Willy’s soul has flown away— Where it is you have two guesses. Here lies Bill, the son of Fred. He lied alive; he now lies dead. Oh, stranger, dry the starting tear! Kaiser Bill is buried here, *Neath this stone lies Kaiser Bill. He sought for peace—he seeks it still. Here Wilhelm sleeps. For Mercy’s sake, Tread softly, friend, test he should wake! Swallow him, O Earth, for he, Living, longed to swallow thee. Here lies a lord unloved of Fate, Born untimely, died too late. If three years gone his life had sped Millions would live who now are dead. * O. Herford. ANY Mr. Moody Repudiates a Bible Scholar ILLIAM R. MOODY, who runs the Northfield Schools that his father founded, describes himself in a public letter as “among those who feel very strongly that it would be a national disaster to have the present adminis- tration continued another season.” William's father’s best bower was the Bible, and the understanding is that the main effort of the Northfield Schools is in the direction of Bible study. But Mr. Wilson is the most Biblical President and his administration is the most Biblical administration we ever had. If, then, Woodrow is a national disaster, wot t’ell is the use of keeping up William’s school to teach the Bible? In Trouble A an aid to compiling vital statistics a card with blanks to be filled by parents had been given to the youngsters at school. The last day designated for the return of the cards found one chubby little man sobbing uncontrollably. In answer to the teacher’s most gentle questioning as to the cause of his grief, he wailed forth: “Oh, Miss Blank, I lost my excuse for being born.” MAKING IT EASY FOR HIM ws) SAN SJ SSS SSS SS TN SSS SSS aos