PROCLAMATION
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Of the Coming of Religion, Equality and Beauty_ In our new day, so soon upon us, for the first time in thehistory of Democracy, art and the church shall be hand inhand and equally at our service. Neither craftsmanship norprayer shall be purely aristocratic any more, nor at war witheach other, nor at war with the State. The priest, thestatesman and the singer shall discern one another's workmore perfectly and give thanks to God. Even now our best churches are blossoming in beauty. Our bestpolitical life, whatever the howlers may say, is tendingtoward equality, beauty and holiness. Political speech will cease to turn only upon the price ofgrain, but begin considering the price of cross-roadsfountains and people's palaces. Our religious life will nolonger trouble itself with the squabbles of orthodoxy. Itwill give us the outdoor choral procession, the ceremony ofdedicating the wheat-field or the new-built private house toGod. That politician who would benefit the people will notconsider all the world wrapped up in the defence ordestruction of a tariff schedule. He will serve the public asdid Pericles, with the world's greatest dramas. He willrebuild the local Acropolis. He will make his particularAthens rule by wisdom and philosophy, not trade alone. Ourcrowds shall be audiences, not hurrying mobs; dancers, notbrawlers; observers, not restless curiosity-seekers. Our mobsshall becomes assemblies and our assemblies religious; devoutin a subtle sense, equal in privilege and courtesy, delicateof spirit, a perfectly rounded democracy. All this shall come through the services of three kinds ofmen in wise coöperation: the priests, the statesmen and theartists. Our priests shall be religious men like St. Francis,or John Wesley, or General Booth, or Cardinal Newman. Theyshall be many types, but supreme of their type. Our statesmen shall find their exemplars and theirinspiration in Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln, as all goodAmericans devoutly desire. But even these cannot ripen the land without the work of menas versatile as William Morris or Leonardo. Our artists shallfuse the work of these other workers, and give expression tothe whole cry and the whole weeping and rejoicing of theland. We shall have Shelleys with a heart for religion,Ruskins with a comprehension of equality. _Religion_, _equality_ and _beauty_! By these America shallcome into a glory that shall justify the yearning of thesages for her perfection, and the prophecies of the poets,when she was born in the throes of Valley Forge. _This, by faith, and a study of the signs, we proclaim!_ * * * * * _EPILOGUE_ [_Written to all young lovers about to set up homes of their own--butespecially to those of some far-distant day, and those of myhome-village_] _Lovers, O lovers, listen to my call.Give me kind thoughts. I woo you on my knees.Lovers, pale lovers, when the wheat grows tall,When willow trees are Eden's incense trees:--_ _I would be welcome as the rose in flowerOr busy bird in your most secret fane.I would be read in your transcendent hourWhen book and rhyme seem for the most part vain._ _I would be read, the while you kiss and pray.I would be read, ere the betrothal ringCircles the slender finger and you sayWords out of Heaven, while your pulses sing._ _O lovers, be my partisans and buildEach home with a great fire-place as is meet.When there you stand, with royal wonder filled,In bridal peace, and comradeship complete,_ _While each dear heart beats like a fairy drum--Then burn a new-ripe wheat-sheaf in my name.Out of the fire my spirit-bread shall comeAnd my soul's gospel swirl from that red flame._ * * * * *
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