'He describes the battle of Waterloo. He says that Napoleon by every human law ought to have won it. But Hugo says this: "Napoleon lost Waterloo because God was against him." That's why Germany didn't take Ypres, and rush through to Calais. That's why they'll lose this war.' 'And yet the Germans are always saying that God is on their side. They go to battle singing-- "A safe stronghold our God is still."' 'Yes, they are like the men in the time of Christ who said "Lord, Lord," and did not the things he said. I tell you, sir, if we had fought in God's strength, and obeyed God's commands, _the war would have been over by now_. German militarism would have been crushed and the world would be at peace.' 'Nonsense,' I replied with a laugh. 'It's not nonsense. This, as it seems to me, is the case: We are fighting God's cause, but God counts but very little. We are not laying hold of His Omnipotence; we are trusting entirely in big guns, while God is forgotten. That is why the war drags on. I tell you,' and his voice quivered with passion, 'what I am afraid of is this. This ghastly carnage will drag on, with all its horrors; homes will be decimated, lives will be sacrificed all because we believe more in material things than in spiritual things. More in the devil than in God. I think sometimes that God will not allow us to win because we are not worthy.' 'Come now,' I said, 'it is very easy to speak in generalities about such a question; but tell me how, in a practical way, faith in God, and religious enthusiasm would help us to win this war?' 'How?' he cried. 'Don't you see that in addition to what I will call the spiritual power which would come through faith in, and obedience to the will of God, you add a practical, human force? Let there be this faith, this enthusiasm, and the people, the soldiers, would be ready for anything. Our workpeople would cease going on strike, employers and tradespeople would no longer be profiteers, grumbling and disunity would cease. We should all _unitedly_ throw ourselves, heart and soul into this great struggle, and nothing could withstand us.' 'But tell me why we are not worthy of victory, now,' I urged. CHAPTER XIV EDGECUMBE'S LOGIC He was silent for a few seconds, and then went on quietly: 'You will forgive me, sir, if I seem assertive, but I look on you as my friend--and--and you know all about me--that I know myself. As I have said before, I naturally look at things differently from others. I have to be always beginning _de novo_. But tell me, sir, what do you think are the greatest curses in the British Army? What ruins most of our soldiers, body and soul?' I hesitated a second, and then replied, 'Drink and--and impurity.' 'Exactly; and how much is the latter owing to the former?' 'A great deal, I dare say.' 'Just so. Now go a step further. Did not one of England's most prominent statesmen say that he feared drink more than he feared the Germans?'