Life, 1917-12-27 · page 9 of 41
Life — December 27, 1917 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Illustration:** "The Willowbys' Ward" depicts a domestic comedy scene where Molly and Mrs. Willowby rescue Professor Willowby from "a wily book agent"—suggesting satirical commentary on aggressive sales tactics of the era. **Main Articles:** "The God Idea Still Limited" critiques the German Kaiser's claim to represent God's will nationally. The text argues that while the Kaiser wanted personal divine authority, extending this concept globally caused "endless trouble," implying criticism of German imperial ideology and World War I ambitions. "Diagnosed" humorously depicts a mother concerned her son needs "a new needle" after a lengthy sermon, satirizing both evangelical preaching and parental anxiety. **Bottom Cartoon:** "To Fill a Vacancy" (unclear reference) shows figures with "1917," likely WWI-related commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WILLOWBYS' WARD, 31 MOLLY AND MRS, WILLOWBY RETURN IN TIME TO RESCUE THE PROFESSOR FROM A WILY BOOK AGENT The God Idea Still Limited HE Hohenzollern idea that “I Am God” has had a host of imitators in that sort of literature which may be designated under the general name of “ Uplift.”. When an author in this literary field is out of material he can always fall back on that idea. “I am Monarch of all I survey” is a short step to usurping the prerogatives of the Almighty. The value of this idea does, however, depend upon its ex- clusiveness, for it is evident that if everybody practiced it it would necessarily fail. Its own weight would carry it down,. The Kaiser is a good illustration. So long as he wanted to be known as God in Germany he was on safe ground. In his own family circle they didn’t mind. On the contrary, they were rather proud of having a personal God ruling over them, one that was on the spot. But when the Kaiser tried to expand the idea and extend it to the rest of the world he got into endless trouble. Even in being Gott a man must practice humility. TO have and to hold—One's tongue. Diagnosed GTSEUNG with a wonderful burst of oratory, the great evangelist had, after two hours’ steady preaching, be- come rather hoarse. A little boy’s mother in the congregation whispered to her son, “Isn't it wonderful? What do you think of him?” “He needs a new needle,” returned the boy sleepily. TO FILL A VACANCY comicbooks.com