“The canal has been the work of many, and it has been the pride of Americans who have visited the isthmus to find the spirit which has
animated the forces. Every man was doing the particular part of the work that was necessary to make it a success. No chief of any enterprise ever commanded an army that was so loyal, so faithful, that gave its strength and its blood to the successful completion of its task as did the canal forces. And so in accepting the medal and thanking those who confer it, I accept it and thank them in the name of every member of the canal army.”
Since the completion of the canal, its master-builder has been called to serve his country in more than one great crisis. At the time of the threatened railroad strike in the fall of 1916, he was made chairman of the commission of three appointed by President Wilson to investigate the working of the eight-hour law for train operators, which was the subject of dispute between the managers of the roads and the men who ran the freight-trains. In March, 1917, he was selected by Governor Edge of New Jersey to serve as advisory engineer on the construction of the new fifteen-million-dollar highway system of that State.
A SHEPHERD OF “THE GREAT COUNTRY”: BISHOP ROWE
“Love is a bodily shape; and Christian works are no more than animate faith and love, as flowers are the animate springtide.”
Have you heard the story of Offero, the mighty giant of Canaan, who made a vow never to serve any master but the most powerful of all the rulers of earth?
“As my strength is great, so shall my service be great,” he said, “and my king must be one who stands in fear of no man.”
He wandered over all lands, looking in vain for the greatest monarch, for each king plainly stood in dread of some other power. At length, however, he was told by a holy hermit that the King of kings was an invisible Lord who reigned through love in the hearts of men.
“You must fast and pray,” answered the hermit.
“Nay,” cried Offero, “not so! For I should then lose my strength which is all that I have to bring to his service.”
For a moment the holy hermit prayed silently to be given wisdom. Then his face shone as if from a light within.
“There is a river over which many poor people must cross,” he said, “and there is no bridge. The current is often so swift and treacherous at the ford that even the strongest are swept from their feet and lost. With your great strength you could help one and all to safety. It would be a work of love--meet service for the Lord of Love.”