Our vast Army is being demobilized as quickly as possible. Men, released from service are coming home by tens of thousands. All through the land there are happy homes now. The empty chairs are filled — the loved voices are heard once more. But, alas! in many a home there will be no return. Husband and wife sit together in their lonely home, and comfort one another and talk of the son who was killed in the war. Many of us will have to face that sorrow until we meet our loved ones again.
I had an exquisite little poem sent me the other day written by Bishop Chadwick, which I must copy for my readers. It brings tears to the eyes, it is the music of a requiem in the soul. He says: ―
“It singeth low in every heart,
We hear it each and all;
A song of those who answer not
However we may call.
They throng the silence of the breast,
We see them as of yore,
The kind, the true, the brave; the sweet,
Who walk with us no more.
‘Tis hard to take the burden up,
When these have laid it down;
They brightened all the joy of life,
They softened every frown.
But oh! ‘tis good to think of them
When we are troubled sore;
Thanks be to God that such have lived,
Though they are here no more.”
But we must not demobilize. The warfare against sin and Satan must be carried on relentlessly. Our workers all want to “carry on,” and we are praying to God that this may be the desire of all our friends that we should “carry on.” I have had some most encouraging letters from many friends. Do read our last page and give us your prayerful help for Christ’s sake.