The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-01
British Weekly on War


Or. w Robertson NicolI. in the British Week
iys report OF his address at the London City
Temple says:
pray for us: for We trust we have a good
conscience. IN all things willing To live honestly.
But beseech you the rather to do this that I
may he restored TO you the sooner"--ifebrews
Xiii. ~. 10
/ bring you today a message from those who
are fightng for land and on sea. They
ire "a wing to US in the home land: "Prsy for US:
FOR We trust have good conscience. in all
things willing to live honestly But besoech
YOU the rather to do this. that / may be re-
stored to you the sooner"
They have a right to our prayers, for they
have the light to claim good conscience and a
Willingness live honestly n all things. They
have "A good conscience for they have haZ-
arded all IN the cause Of righteousness and
peace. We have too much forgotten that in
the last resort we are entirely and wholly de-
pendent soldiers and sailors-especially
On those who have the almost unbearabie re-
sponsibility OF leading them. We have wisdom
and counsel have might and money. and
great resources, and with these We can back our
brave men In the critical struggle. But with
cut them We helpless, and all that we pos
soss and a II that we do will not bring rs to our
goal. How precious then and how near our
hearts mast those be who facing the actual
aud awful realities Of war;
They have good conscience, for they are
doing all that men do for the honor the
safety and peace of our Empire and clviliza =
ton II Is they who stand between women
and children-betw them and death or
worse than death They have removed them
selves beyond all challenge. fer they have with
held nothing 1t is men who remain at horne
and refrain from actual Intervention in The
fight who defense. 1t is We who
have to answer 10 our conscience to our conn
try. and TO our God. that we are out of the zone
OF fire, and are in the enjoyment of our homes
There OF course, very many who have a
good answer TO the challenge They are de-
barred by age physical weakness from taxi
ing their place in the ranks The dav may
come. however. when ever they may have to
do the little they There are no doubt
very many who ought to have oneyed the enm-
mons. who have the qualifications ana who
for various reasons holding back. We may
hope that the conflict goes on they may see
the path more plainly. 1t IS as certain as it can
be that nultitudes not OF good conscience
III this matter. But who not reckoned
among the fl must do what we can for those
who are. We cannot make our absence good
We annot sacrifice what those in the Tight are
sacrificing. How glorious is the record OF men
who have offered themselves willingly in ell
ranks OF life How manv who were rich in
possessions. in love. in youth, in hope. with life
opening sunniv before them, have quietly given
their lives, unhoastine and unfearing How
many have me- death without a murmur n
pang, How meekly and how devouty have
their stricken taken up life afresh. as those
who Of meeting, Have they not a
right to ask for prayers
They have been in all things willing to live
honestly We have MANY stories of sol
ders and sailors and they all testify to their
esiety. their courage their kindness. They have
smiled IN the face of death. They have grown
brighter and better tempered and kcener under
the harshest conditions. War il hut they
have done what they could in mercy and pity
Not one case Of outrage needless cruelty has
been made good against any soldier of our
British troops We thrill with pride when We
NJ fhenl~--of VIII VIVA
thu have done and what they doing.
What can we do four our soldiers and ssilor~'