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.

During the day lift your heart frequently to God. Your
prayers need not be long nor read from a book. Learn a few
of these short ejaculations by heart and frequently repeat
them. They will serve to recall God to your heart and will
strengthen you and comfort you.

You remember a while back about the prayer-wheels of the Thibetans.
The Catholic religion was founded before the Thibetan, and is less
progressive; it does not welcome mechanical devices for saving labor.
You have to use your own vocal apparatus to keep yourself from hell;
but the process has been made as economical as possible by kindly
dispensations of the Pope. Thus, each time that you say "My God and my
all," you get fifty days indulgence; the same for "My Jesus, mercy,"
and the same for "Jesus, my God, I love Thee above all things." For
"Jesus, Mary, Joseph," you get three hundred days--which would seem by
all odds the best investment of your spare breath.

And then come prayers for all occasions: "Prayer before Battle";
"Prayer for a Happy Death"; "Prayer in Temptation"; "Prayer before and
after Meals"; "Prayer when on Guard"; "Prayer before a long March