in it, rather the contrary. First, let us conquer violence and war by the methods which have been imposed upon us, in order that we may not see the reign of savagery established in Europe. Then, let us continue the fight without respite, trying this time to ameliorate the lot of humanity. Let us impose upon the vanquished such conditions that he cannot begin it over again; make it certain that he will not undertake a new conflict-make this impossible not only materially, but by awakening the sense of justice. Moreover, one won't go without the other.

The more I see of soldiers the more I feel certain that the French are peace-loving and "anti-military " in the best sense of the word.

IN THE HOSPITAL1

In spite of this bit of bad luck, courage fine and serene. The order of the day is faith and confidence, particularly when things go wrong.

Shall I offer myself as a "volunteer "? I want to serve with all my strength the cause of peace and of the future, and as quickly as possible. But first I must measure the extent of my moral forces.

Not since I have been here have I lived in a healthy and resolute atmosphere. Sometimes one is saddened by the talk one hears about present conditions, from persons who have actually suffered (physically and morally) for a cause of whose nature they seem quite ignorant.

I keep my confidence

a confidence which some day I hope to see effective and no longer purely passive. And in the "All's well" with which I end these lines you can read an "all shall be well" in the future, because I feel in myself the will and the force to make it so.

Again they are keeping me in the hospital. I don't complain in any way at their decision; I accept what is inevitable; I merely mention the fact. Many say, and always will say: "We are well off here." I seek another point of view; and I believe that if I have left all that was familiar to me, it was for the purpose of making myself as useful as possible and for preparing some day to give my full measure.

I fear I shall have to begin a second training, and that

'Some cases of spinal meningitis having broken out in the barracks, the author was placed in the hospital for observation.

This partial torpor of the mind is not so much a weakness as a necessity; military life cannot agree with the life of the mind—it is indeed absolutely incompatible with it.

I am having some very useful experiences and am happy to be here, in my place, with my comrades, with all the young men of my age, for the same work.

Are we not ready for anything, you and I, and what thing can separate us spiritually?

I think of you with a great feeling of tenderness, and I feel more and more that the physical separation cannot influence the moral presence. The communion of spirits is an undeniable truth.

IN THE ZONE OF THE ARMIES

(February, 1916)

To-morrow we leave the depot for the army zone. Let's have a little moral examination. I for my part am setting off serious and happy. I leave without any regret, with a clear conscience. When the moment comes to enter the trenches I shall throw myself simply and with faith into this new life. . I feel myself nearer and nearer to you in thought, and my filial affection is the only sentiment which I feel so strongly in this life that is so material; and this communion of spirit before the same Ideal is the greatest joy to me, the greatest comfort in my life.

As we were going along I heard a sound which at first I took for the slamming of a door; but it was the bursting of a bomb hurled by an aviator a short distance from our train.

I have had the chance to talk with some soldiers of my regiment and they have given me many interesting facts about the hard, hard life at the front, made up of dangers, cold, and fatigue, particularly in winter. It is fine to listen to those who bear like Stoics this life of absolute sacrifice. It is evidently a splendid manifestation of human energy. I am to be vaccinated with an anti-typhoid serum. I don't expect to be affected by it. I have the conviction that in things of this kind the will and the absence of apprehension count for a great deal.

I have continued the reading of your precious little "book of spiritual refreshment." I intend to seek in it often for a kind of shield against moral baseness and deficiency.

I am reading Pickwick Papers with much enjoyment; many passages have made me laugh out loud.

Extraordinary occurrence! I was deep in Mr. Pickwick when someone called out: "Are there any here to volunteer?" The majority of the squad came forward, and I among them.

I know that you, with me, will receive this news confidently and gladly, and that is why I acted without hesitation as I did. I have been longing for some time for this to happen. Though I have been waiting patiently and inwardly at peace, I was eager for a less commonplace exist

ence.

(An interruption. All our demands have been granted and we set off to-morrow morning. So much the better!)

I am leaving with unutterable joy and absolute confidence.

I commend you to God, Who will make you feel my enthusiasm.

We are ready, you and I; nothing can shake our confidence, nor our joy in contributing thus together (for indeed it is a collaboration in which you represent all the moral element) to such a Work. Nothing else concerns us. Forward with God, with uplifted spirits!

Hurrah for our departure, and the battle for Peace!

I assure you once again that we shall always be near to one another. Be as calm and as unconcerned as I am; that is the best wish I can wish for you.

Long live the life of work and fatigue for a cause such as we shall soon be embarked on!

You cannot imagine with what delight I left the rear and how happy I am now.

For the first time since my arrival in the regiment I have found some friends, Christians and idealists, with whom I can feel completely in harmony.

.

Since I have known X- (we walk together every evening) I am hourly reproached by my faith and my longing for the Ideal. He is a radiant personality and possesses a faith that is contagious, if I may express myself thus, and I am now more conscious of the benefits of prayer, and

all the joy of holding to such an ideal. That is the secret of never feeling alone and of looking upon death as a happy event, since it is a new birth.

I am to become acquainted with trench life. Without any bragging, I may say that I have no apprehension. I shall be glad to be exposed to danger for the sake of Justice and Peace.

Of course, the first shells and mines must make a disagreeable impression; but with God's aid, and habit, all will be right. I repeat, I do not feel the slightest fear; on the contrary, I am full of enthusiasm and faith.

I hope to come out uninjured from my stay at the front; but I consider perfectly calmly all possibilities. Do your duty and don't bother about the rest. The future is not our affair. And though I have confidence in my return, I see absolutely nothing sad nor hard in the other possibility. I am not of those who fear death; and I prefer to look all chances calmly face to face. I know that I believe, and that keeps me from fearing. I shall do my work then without fear, I hope, but with plenty of prudence.

If I am so frank with you, without any disguise, it is because I know that you think the same: that you have confidence in my return, but that you can also face the chance of whatever may happen.

I pray for you constantly, and for myself, that I may have faith and courage. That is perhaps the cause of my inner peace and gaiety. And I am sure that you are praying for me, and I thank you.

Long live Peace and Liberty, for whose sakes we are ready to take whatever may come with calm and without regret!

May this letter bring to you as much joy as I have had in writing it.

Your son, proud that he is your son and eager to be a worthy one.

The big German

shells are bursting a good way from our trench.

I am perfectly satisfied with this little beginning (noth