of Luther, which has displaced the sense of moral obligation, and for it has given expediency as a guiding principle. Germans are quite ready to accept Christianity if not too exacting a religion, and not interfering with honesty in business or with their menus plaisirs. This has been exemplified in the late war, in which all the principles of fidelity to promise, humanity, and honesty were laid aside, utterly disregarded, as inexpedient.
The story is told of Frederick the Great that he heard tell of one of his officers writing poetry; and at a review he suddenly demanded an appropriate verse. Promptly came:
"Gott sprach in seinem Zorn, |
Whereupon Friedrich growled: "Gott hat nichts mit meinem Regiment zu schaffen!" May not that word of the Great Prussian be taken as characteristic of German conduct throughout the war, waged with poison gas, sinking of hospital ships and liners, with utter unscrupulousness? But it applies personally as well. A German in business, in his pleasures, in his domestic relations, says, "Gott hat nichts mit meinen Sachen zu schaffen." And he considers that he himself is the best judge how to regulate his conduct in every branch of life, commercial, social, political, domestic.
