be seen
anywhere except in the big towns and cities, but otherwise I should say
that London gives a fair idea of the condition of the country.'

'Let me ask you this, then. Bearing what we have seen in mind, the good
as well as the bad, do you think we are ready for victory?'

I was silent for some seconds, then I said somewhat weakly I am afraid,
'You cannot expect us all to be saints, Edgecumbe. Human nature is human
nature, and--and--but there is a great deal of good in the country.'

'Doubtless there is. When I think of the quiet determination, the
splendid sacrifices, the magnificent confidence of our people, added to
the unwearying kindness to the wounded and the needy, I feel like saying
we are ready for victory. But could not all that be matched in Germany?
With the world against them they have gone straight on. Have we been
determined? So have they. Have we made sacrifices? So have they. Have
we been confident? They have been more so. I dare say too that with
regard to kindness and care for their wounded and dying they could match
us. But Germany can't win; if they did, it would be victory for the
devil. It would mean a triumph for all that was worst in human life.
God Almighty is in His Heaven, therefore whatever else happens German
militarism will be crushed, and the world rid of an awful menace. But
this is what has impressed me. We as a nation have a unique position in
the world, and if history ever meant anything at all, we are called to
lead the world to higher things. Our opportunity is tremendous; are we
ready for it? I do not close my eyes to all the good there is in the
country, and I am sure there are millions who are leading godly, sober
lives. But as far as the Government and the great bulk of the country
are concerned, we are spiritually dead. I have been studying the
utterances of our statesmen, and I have looked too often in vain for
anything like idealism and for a vision. You know what the old proverb
says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish," and that is what we
lack.'

'You are very hopeless,' I laughed.

'No, I am not. I can see that out of this upheaval will come a new
England, a new world. But not yet. We are not ready for the Promised
Land, not ready for the higher responsibilities to which God is calling
us. That is why the victory is delayed. Great God! I wish we had a few
men like Admiral Beatty in the Government. We want to be roused out of
o