State Historical Society of Iowa

Reverend Mercer Johnston's Letter to His Father During the War, October 12, 1914

 Download PDF Resource

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Johnston, Mercer G., "Mercer Green Johnston to His Father," 12 October 1914

Description

Reverend Mercer Johnston was the rector of Trinity Church in Newark, New Jersey. In this letter to his father, Johnston expressed his strong opposition to Germany's role in the war and the desire to do what he could to "hasten Germany's day of judgment." Johnston wrote, "I could no more remain neutral towards the program that the Kaiser and his war party have put forth than I could remain neutral towards the program of His Satanic Majesty." Acknowledging that Johnston's sermons in favor of the Allies upset some of his German American parishioners and colleagues, the letter describes the divided sympathies among America's 100 million diverse people toward the warring nations.

Transcript of Mercer Johnston's Letter to His Father During the War

Source Dependent Questions

  • What was Reverend Johnston's position in the community? How might this have influenced his message to his father? Would the letter be more reliable than a sermon regarding his true feelings? Why or why not?
  • What German ideals does Reverend Johnston "detest"? How were these in conflict with American ideals?
  • Despite his feelings toward Germany, why does Mercer see neutrality as the best course? What other sources corroborate this stance?
  • Is this source representative of American ideals at the start of World War I? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Citation Information

Johnston, Mercer G., "Mercer Green Johnston to His Father," 12 October 1914. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress