n" souls, when I first read of it, filled me
with such a sinking that I tried, when coming upon the words, not to
admit the meaning of them into myself; for that some should be
chosen and some not I felt to be favouritism, and could not
understand or see the justice of it. I never ask questions. He left me
in this condition for eighteen months. Then He led me to an
explanation sufficient for me. The way He showed it me was not by
comparisons with great things--angels and saints and holy persons;
but by that humble creature, man's friend, the dog, He showed me
the elect creature. It was this way.

One evening as I passed through the city I had one of those sudden
strong impulses (by which He guides us) to go to a certain and
particular cinematograph exhibition. I was very tired, and tried to
put away the thought, but it pressed in the way that I know, and I
knew it better to go. I sat for an hour seeing things that had no
interest for me, and wondering why I should have had to come,
when at last a film was shown of war-dogs in training--dogs trained
especially to assist men and to carry their messages.

These dogs were especially selected, not for their charm of outward
appearance, but for their inward capacities; _not for an especial love
of the dog_ (or favouritism), but for that which they were willing to
learn how to do. The qualifications for (s)election were willingness,
obedience, fidelity, endurance. Once chosen they were set apart.
Then commenced the training, and we were shown how man put his
will through the dog: he was able to do this _only because of the
willingness of the dog._ The purport of the training was to carry a
message for his master wherever his master willed. He must go
instantly and at full speed; he must leap any obstacle; he must turn
away from his own kind if they should entice him to linger on the
way; he must subdue all his natural desires and instincts entirely to
his master's desires; he must be indifferent to danger. And to secure
this he was fired over by numbers of men, difficulties were set for
him, and he was distracted from his straight course by a number of
tests. Yet we saw the brave and faithful creatures running on their
way at their fullest speed until, exhausted and breathless but filled
with joy of _love and willingness,_ they reached the journey's end,
to be caressed and cared for beyond other dogs until the next
occasion should arise. Then we were shown the dog in his
fu