tric and charged with emotion. The wife of the Dean, a
short, bustling lady, who had never been so popular in Witanbury and its
neighbourhood as was her husband, came forward and beckoned to Mrs.
Otway. "If no one else comes in," she whispered, "I think we might all
come up a little nearer. The Dean is going to say a few words about the
war."

And though a few more people did come in during the five minutes that
followed, the whole of the little congregation finally collected in the
stalls nearest the altar. And it was not from the ornate white stone
pulpit, but from the steps of the altar, that the Dean, after the short
service was over, delivered his address.

For what seemed a long time--it was really only a very few moments--Dr.
Haworth stood there, looking thoughtfully at this little gathering of
his fellow-countrymen and countrywomen. Then he began speaking. With
great simplicity and directness he alluded to the awesome news which
this morning had brought to them, to England. England's declaration of
war against their great neighbour, Germany--their great neighbour, and
they should never forget, the only other great European nation which
shared with them the blessings, he was willing to admit the perhaps in
some ways doubtful blessings, brought about by the Reformation.

On hearing these words, three or four of his hearers moved a little
restlessly in their seats, but soon even they settled themselves down to
take in, and to approve, what he had to say.

England was going to war, however, in a just cause, to make good her
promise to a small and weak nation. She had often drawn her sword on
behalf of the oppressed, and never more rightly than now. But it would
be wrong indeed for England to allow her heart to be filled with
bitterness. It was probable that even at this moment a large number of
Germans were ashamed of what had happened last Monday--he alluded to the
Invasion of Belgium. Frederick the Great had once said that God was
always on the side of the big battalions; in so saying he had been
wrong. Even in the last two or three days they had seen how wrong.
Belgium was putting up a splendid defence, and the time might come--he,
the speaker, hoped it would be very soon--when Germany would realise
that Might is not Right, when she would confess, with the large-hearted
chivalry possible to a great and powerful nation, that she had been
wrong.

Meanwhile the Dean wished to impress on his hearers the need for