n."

"I have been like one in an enemy's country," was the young fellow's
reply, and then he briefly told him what had taken place.

"The thing that troubles me," said the Professor, "is the utter failure
of Christianity. All our old ideas seem to have gone by the board.
Even many of my Quaker friends have got the war spirit and are no
longer sane. It is true we have placards all over the town calling us
to prayer, but as far as Christianity is concerned it seems as dead as
Queen Anne."

"Then what is your attitude?" asked Bob.

A few minutes later the Professor was explaining the beliefs which he
had for long held so strongly, and Bob listened greedily. He spoke not
only of the horror of war, but of its unrighteousness and of its
futility.

"We talk about the country going into war for the sake of honour," he
said warmly. "But has there ever been a war in which we have not made
the same plea, and how much honour has there been in it all? What
honour was there in the Boer War? What honour has there been in half
the wars we have made? In the main it has all been a miserable game of
grab. How much was the Founder of Christianity considered when we
bombarded Alexandria? How much of the Sermon on the Mount was
considered when we went to war with those Boer farmers?"

"Yes, yes, I know," replied Bob. "But isn't this war different? I am
not thinking now of the righteousness or unrighteousness of many of the
wars of the past; the thing which troubles me is just this: Is it ever
right to go to war? Can a nation, according to Christian principles,
draw the sword? Mind you, I have gone into this business as carefully
as I have been able. I have read everything that I can get hold of
which bears on it, and I cannot close my eyes to the fact that as far
as justice and righteousness go we are in the right. I have but little
doubt that the Kaiser is playing his own game; he wants some of the
French Colonies, he also wants to extend his power in Asia Minor. In
order to do this he has for years been perfecting his army and
strengthening his navy. But here is the question: Can a nation like
England, according to Christian principles, engage in a bloody war in
order to crush any one or anything?"

"Impossible!" cried the Professor.

"Then, according to you," went on Bob, "the Kaiser should be allowed to
work his will without protest? He should be allowed to crush France,
to violate his promises to Belgium, and