Looking Backward—A Race of Warriors

Chapter 1

Arthur T. Pierson was a warrior, and came of a race of warriors. A few of his ancestors won renown upon fields of battle where the weapons were of steel, where the strength and skill required were those of nerve and muscle, where the foes were of flesh and blood and the rewards were temporal power and authority. But the majority of his forebears, and he, himself, were engaged in a different contest. They were trained, not in the military schools of the state, but of the Church. Their book of tactics was the Bible, their officers were men chosen and appointed by the almighty Commander-in-Chief, their battles were for truth and true living, and their campaign was for the conquest of the world. Moral courage was counted of greater worth than physical bravery; the weapons of mind and spirit were more highly esteemed than those forged in earthly arsenals; the foes against which they contended were principalities and powers in spirit realms, their victories were over the enemies of character, of humanity and of God. These were battles worth waging. There have been tactical mistakes and temporary defeats; at times the forces have been divided; the great Commander’s orders have been mistaken or disobeyed, but there have also been notable victories, the progress of the campaign has been steady and the final success is assured.