marked "Copyright by the G.R.C. Central-Verein," and bears the "Nihil
Obstat" of the "Censor Theolog." and the "Imprimatur" of "Johannes
Josephus, Archiepiscopus Sti. Ludovici"--which last you may at first
fail to recognize as a well-known city on the Mississippi River. Do
you not feel the spell of ancient things, the magic of the past
creeping over you, as you read those Latin trade-marks? Such is the
Dead Hand, and its cunning, which can make even St. Louis sound
mysterious!

In this booklet I get no information as to the commercial causes of
war, nor about the part which the clerical vote may have played
throughout Europe in supporting military systems. I do not even find
anything about the sacred cause of democracy, the resolve of a
self-governing people to put an end to feudal rule. Instead I discover
a soldier-boy who obeys and keeps silent, and who, in his inmost
heart, is in the grip of terrors both of body and soul. Poor, pitiful
soldier-boy, marking yourself with crosses, performing genuflexions,
mumbling magic formulas in the trenches--how many billions of you have
been led out to slaughter by the greeds and ambitions of your
religious masters, since first this accursed Antichrist got its grip
upon the hearts of men!

I quote from this little book:

Start this day well by lifting up your heart to God. Offer
yourself to Him, and beg grace to spend the day without sin.
Make the sign of the cross. Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost, behold me in Thy Divine Presence. I adore
Thee and give Thee thanks. Grant that all I do this day be
for Thy Glory, and for the salvation of my immortal soul.