Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 68:271 (Jul 1911)
Article: The World Person
Author: Raymond L. Bridgman

BSac 68:271 (July 1911) p. 361

The World Person

Raymond L. Bridgman

Rapid progress has been made by the movement for the political unity of all nations. Within the present century it had its formal beginning, and already it has recognized standing in courts and parliaments. Already the expectation of a world legislature, a world executive, and a world court is widely held by men who are in position to advance the cause. These institutions seemed fanciful only a few years ago. Today they are regarded by eminent publicists of our country as practical. It needs only familiarity with the views and the works of the department of state of the United States to be assured that the inspiration of the great idea is felt by the men at the top, and that they are working consciously, intelligently, and effectively for the political unity of the entire human race as a practical and all-important ideal.

This movement is not necessarily connected at all with the peace movement. Honest belief in the present need of great armies and Super-Dreadnaught navies would not prevent the believer from being also a zealous world-organizer. But the truth is so evident that world peace is to be secured most quickly, most widely, and most permanently by world organi-

BSac 68:271 (July 1911) p. 362

zation that the peace workers have taken up the movement. The immense momentum of the world-wide protest against great armies and navies is added to the force for the organization of all nations into a political unit.

Looking at the movement from one point of view, which is wholly true and of large importance, it is a scientific question. In the development of the body of all mankind, just as in the development of a caterpillar, a stage has been reached when a transformation is in progress. It is a natural step. It is the next step in order. The process is to be studied as a matter of science. Just as in all other branches of science, it is of the utmost importance in this to know the exact truth. Any one who refuses to take the scientific attitude, thereby puts himself in position to be cut off absolutely from reaching the correct answer of his problem. He is in position where it is impossible for him to get the truth. He is unworthy of getting it, if he were not in that position.

First, greatest, and fundamental in the movement for the political organization of the world into a unit stands this truth, that mankind is one already by the very fact of its creation. Politically, it has not achieved unity, save as it is now growing into it; but it has already done far more as a political unit than skeptics believe. Commercially and socially, the world is one already. Standing at the beginning of the effort for political unity is the postulate, Mankind is one.