Theos-Talk Archives (January 2004 Message tt00316)

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

THE curious little bit of history connected with the appearance of this motto on our coins has just been unearthed. It seems that a certain clergyman who had not studied archaeology for nothing looked with prophetic eye far into the future. He saw that this nation and civilization, like others, of the past, must ultimately vanish and its relics become the subject of antiquarian research and exhumation. Those far off searchers, speculating upon our spiritual condition, would find coins wher[e]on was - or was not - written "In God we Trust". If it was not there, we should have been even as the "pagan" nations. If it was, all would be satisfactory.

Secretary Chase seemed to take the same view and the inscription was struck.

A lobby conversation was, it is reported, overheard the other day. One senator was dwelling on our national shortcomings, finally expressing the opinion that we needed "a trashing". Another agreed. But the first went on meditatively: "The trouble is there's nobody can do it."

We should probably nearly all take the same view. And nine out of ten of us think that "We trust in God". But for what do we trust God? To do justice? But if justice and our welfare require that we should get beaten? Apparently we do not trust so far as to expect that. Either even God cannot arrange that, or God is on our side.

Are we then trusting God at all; or is it only a tribal god that we invoke, a national deity, not even a god of battles, but a god of our battles? Need we look down on the "pagans"?

If the hypothetical antiquary be as wise as by that far time he should be, he will read the inscription and say: "Oh yes, that's all very well; but what kind of God did these people 'trust?' Was it the Universal God of Justice or mere American Mars?"

Is it not obvious that if a country needs "trashing," the slightest touch is sufficient whatever the size and number of armies and battleships? A false move, a little failure of judgment, a momentary forgetfulness on the part of the messenger or subordinate - and the thing is done. It is said that Waterloo was lost merely because of a little slip on the part of Grouchy.
STUDENT

- Century Path, vol. XI, no. 6, Dec 15th, 1907, p. 17, italics original.



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