he close of the performance the theatre was
almost empty. The 2nd Brigade moved away that night and the 3rd took
their places the next day. I knew that they, too, would have to move
suddenly, so I arranged that at night we should have a service (p. 243)
followed by a Celebration of the Holy Communion in the theatre after
the play was over. Once again the building was crowded with an
enthusiastic audience, and, after the play was ended, I announced the
service. To my astonishment, most of the men stayed and others crowded
in, so we must have had nearly a thousand men present. The concert
party had received orders to pack up their scenery immediately and
move off. While I was on the stage getting the altar ready the scene
shifters were hard at work behind me. In spite of this disturbance, we
had a wonderful service. I gave them a short address, and spoke about
the high call which had come to Canadians to do big things, and how
the eyes of the world were upon us. We were the champions of right,
and I asked them to go forth in the power of God and do their duty.
Then I began the Communion Service. The colours of the flag which hung
over the altar glowed like an inspiration. The two altar lights shone
like stars above it. At the back of the stage (but we heeded them not)
were the busy men packing up the scenery. We sang the hymn "O God our
help in ages past," and at the time of communion about two hundred
officers and men mounted the stage in turn and knelt in rows to
receive the Bread of Life. It was a thrilling moment, and it showed
how, underlying the superficial thoughtlessness of the soldier's life,
there was the deep and abiding sense of the reality and need of God.
The service ended about eleven p.m.

After shaking hands with some of the men I went back to my billet and
there found that we had to start that night for parts unknown. All our
surplus baggage had been sent off and only what was absolutely
necessary was retained. The members of "C" mess were sitting round the
table having a little liquid refreshment and waiting for the bus which
was to take them off. Our A.D.M.S., who was starting at once, kindly
offered to take me with him in an ambulance. Alberta and I, with two
or three men, got into the vehicle, and I bid farewell for the last
time to Chateau de la Haie. It was a bright moonlight night and the
air was cold, but the roads were dry and dusty. The A.D.M.S., who was
the only person who knew our destina