202 CIIURCH UNITY 



many German kingdoms have been merged 

 in one German Empire ; the petty Italian 

 states, ruled by miniature sovereigns, have 

 given place to " United Italy ; " the pro- 

 phetic statesmen of Great Britain antici- 

 pate imperial federation which may bind 

 the British Islands, Canada, British Co- 

 lumbia, Australia, New Zealand, and South 

 Africa in a closely articulated empire, 

 with common language, history, religion, 

 which will move together in all imperial 

 projects. Russia is slowly but surely reach- 

 ing her arms around nearly the whole of 

 Asia, and when the Siberian railway is com- 

 pleted, Persia, and possibly even China, 

 will be subject to the Northern autocrat. 

 Among nations the word of the hour is 

 unity. 



This movement is more impressive when 

 it is studied somewhat in detail. Armies 

 and navies are glaring at each other as if 

 eager to fight, but no one dares to begin. 

 In the meantime railways are shortened; 

 trains fly faster ; steamers increase in speed ; 

 the attractions of travel are multiplying; 

 trips around the globe are being exploited, 

 and more people know the world well than 

 formerly had a smattering of information 



