The sermon of patience has been often preached. Moreover it has been the man in uniform who has generally been in the pulpit. He has calmly told us to bide our time and then has left for France, left for the land of mud and atrocities, while we must linger over our comparative literature and compose our souls in peace.

There is one thing to remember. The leaders of a nation cannot be educated in a day. Harvard and especially the professional schools have done a great work in the past in the training of men who have shown their ability to assume the burdens of the highest responsibility.

Many a war is lost in the field and won in the farm and office. France was disgraced in arms in 1871, but her economic recovery was a victory of the first magnitude. If the United States is to emerge victorious from this war, we must be prepared to maintain the traditions of "America First."

In other words, the nation will be crying for men with professional training. On this account, it is for the Senior of 1918 to consider his duty most carefully. He must bear in mind the chances of service, and it is most sincerely to be hoped that he will not impatiently reach for the sword but consider carefully the fields of commerce, law, and medicine.

To be sure his victory may not be the capture of a trench, but perchance this nation may be greater for his patience.