"_In one way or another,_" said Bernhardi, "_we must square our account with France. This is the first and foremost condition of a sound German policy. This must be settled by force of arms_. FRANCE MUST BE SO COMPLETELY CRUSHED THAT SHE CAN NEVER AGAIN COME ACROSS OUR PATH." As I said, Bob had arisen from his chair and thrown the book from him. It in itself was a crime. The cold, calculating immorality of its teaching was revolting. He felt as though he had been wading through filth. "There is nothing for it," he cried, "but to destroy it root and branch. Great God, this is a Holy War. It is Christ's war!" He saw everything in a new light. Yes, war was a crime, it was "hell let loose," but by no other means could this poisonous lust for war be destroyed. "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one!" Who said that? He remembered that they were the words of Jesus just before His crucifixion. They were not uttered lightly, they contained the essence of a great truth. What did Jesus mean? Again He said, "I came not to bring peace on earth, but a sword." Bob walked to and fro in the room in his excitement. Did not Christ have such a problem as now faced him in His mind when He uttered these words? Here was a great military caste which threatened, nay, destroyed, the peace of the world. That caste was so poisoned by the virus of war, that to reason with it was impossible. To appeal to it on moral grounds was a waste of breath, simply because there was no common ground of appeal. What then? Must this great immoral force be allowed to menace the world? He thought of his long-cherished dream. _War against war_. Why, every sword drawn in this war was drawn in the interests of peace? Overthrow this great War God, and this might be the last European war. He thought of all his old arguments. "I say unto you, love your enemies, do good to them that hate you." The spirit of it all was, Live by the law of Love. He did not hate the Germans. Millions of them were quiet, industrious, honest people. Left alone, they would pursue peaceful avocations, kindly, and with good intent. But they were under the reign of the War God, they were turned into killing-machines to satisfy the ambition of a great military caste which ruled the Empire and enforced its will. The practical effect of love was service. It would be the greatest blessing that could befall this German people if this War God could be destroyed, crushed to atoms. Then the people would be free to live their own lives. "I'll enlist!" he cried excitedly. "It is a great duty! It's service for Christ!" The thought staggered him. Where were all his old qualms and objections? He hated war as much as ever. He still longed for peace with a consuming passion; and it was because he longed for peace, and because he was trying to be a Christian, that he felt the call of God!