Message to the American People

[Appears to have been sent at the start of World War I]

This terrestrial globe is a dark world of grossest matter. It is a world of sorrow and grief; a world of disappointment and unhappiness; a world of death. For the earth is after all the everlasting graveyard, the vast cemetery of man. Yet men fight to possess this graveyard, waging war and battle, killing one another. What an injustice is this! What ignorance! For the earth after all is spacious, and can hold all. It is so allotted that every man can derive his daily sustenance from it. The Lord does not suffer anyone to starve. All can be blessed with the abundant bestowals of God. But on account of pure superstitions, and by reason of old theological dogmas which have nothing to do with the fundamentals of Divine Religion, for the sake of such limitations, this bloodshed is taking place. [World War I]

As to the American people, this noble nation, intelligent, thoughtful, meditative, -- it is quite disinterested, for its territory is insular and geographically separated from the other nations. Here we find a oneness of interest, a oneness of policy. These are indeed United States. Therefore the United States is possessed of the capacity and capability of holding aloft the banner of international peace.

To Rev. J. W. Van Kirk, the designer of the World Peace Flag

O thou respected truth seeker!

Thy letter was received. It reflected the sentiment of the oneness of the world of humanity. The flag that thou hast forwarded was in reality the foreshadowing symbol of Universal Peace. Today all the nations of the world are animated with a warlike spirit and the governments of the world are filling their military storehouses, inventing infernal machines and perfecting their man killing engines; so that their martial powers may preponderate each other; especially the Continent of Europe has become an arsenal of combustible materials. It needs only one tiny spark to set that hell into a worldwide explosion. It will be then such a titanic conflagration that its lurid flames shall blazen all the horizons. Hence the 'Anthem of Universal Peace' has still no charm in their ears. Their universally accepted political axioms are that the greatness and prosperity of a nation depends on her military and naval powers. The more elaborate these preparations, the better protected and secured the wellbeing and happiness of that government and nation. The kings and rulers of the world are not yet ready to acknowledge that Universal Peace is conducive to the life of the world of humanity. In a similar strain the nobles, the demagogues and those in authority find their glory and reputation in naval and military preparedness.