The Henson Journals

[351]

Monday, August 23rd, 1915.

385th day

I left Glasgow at 8.40 a.m., and arrived at the Deanery about 1.45 p.m: beguiling the road by a disreputable novel, "Ann Veronica" by Wells! I attended Evensong in the Cathedral, and afterwards had tea in the garden with Ella. The brilliant weather made all things glorious. After dinner I wrote to Cummings, Olaf, and Carissima.

The newspapers report a telegram sent by the German Catholic Bishops to the Kaiser. It runs thus:–

"Bishops who are assembled at Fulda during this terrible war feel that they must respectfully thank your Majesty for the powerful protection wherewith the Supreme War Lord & his glorious Army have guarded the homes & altars of our Fatherland against a host of enemies. We pray God that He will bless & protect His Prince & people, & speedily grant an honourable peace."

The Kaiser's reply is eminently characteristic:–

'God has so far graciously heard our prayers for the victory of our arms. He will, I confidently hope, after the struggle & victory cause an honourable & beneficent peace to arise from this bloody seed so fruitful in sacrifices. To Him be the honour.'

'His Prince & people' – the phrase carries the same suggestion of fanatical nationalism as Milton's famous passage in the 'Areopagitica':–

'Now once again …… God is decreeing to begin some new & great period in his church, even to the reforming of reformation itself: what does He then but reveal Himself to His servants, & as His manner is, first to His Englishmen.'

Perhaps the Germans really are at the point of morals where the XVIIth century stood.

---