No 4564 Pte J.W. Brotherhood
Signalling Sec
3/5 Leicesters
Coventry Rd
Bulwell
Notts
Feb 8th 016
Dear Rev Walters,
The summons of life is – that everyone should do their duty. What a contrast today with two years ago. Then we had lethargy, carelessness, discontent, ruthlessness; yea, as a nation we were marching on to a Physical & Moral death.
We were laughing & being laughed at. We were scorning others, and our scorn came back to us in base mockery.
The world thought we were decaying; and many could see the end of the British Empire.
The world has been deceived; we ourselves have miscalculated our worth. A Britisher sometimes forgets that he possesses hidden qualities. The Spirit of an Englishman passes on, to each succeeding generation gives it a new impulse & a deeper meaning. That spirit is revealed today and who knows how much greater it will be tomorrow. Every new recruit, every ounce of fresh energy, every sovereign given to England, is a real test of faith in what we are able to accomplish.
Every day carries us on to greater things, more stupendous problems, and above all, Eternal responsibilities.
Our responsibility as a nation will not cease with victory, it will rather become greater.
There will be privileges that will need to be lived up to; national problems that will have to be solved and International Relationships that will have to be strengthened. Nor will victory lessen our obligations to those who will be defeated. Every day brings its burdens and to my mind I think that victory will increase those burdens, yet, after all – what is the worth or value of victory unless it costs an effort? I say – of what use is victory to us if our national life has not been tested; or it most salient features have been allowed to degenerate?
The test of victory is in the effort that has been made. I know there are certain redeeming features in defeat, but features redeemed are only seen in victory; and it seems to me that the redemption of our national life is now taking place; and there is an ever increasing moral evidenced; and we are just beginning to realise, that life without a battle leads to moral degeneration.
“But there’s a limit fixed to decent pride”
The nation’s watch is close; they seek a test
To prove us, whether, when our hearts are tried,
We take this war in earnest or in jest.”
Sir. We obey the summons, we answer the call. Our lethargy we fling away, and with Shakespear we say:-
“Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more; or close the wall with English dead! In peace, there’s nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness, and humility, but where the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the actions of a tiger. Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,” and off to war.
Those words are an elegant testimony to Englishmen of today.
Does not the spirit of the 16th century still live?
A great feature of our national life today is – the unbounded enthusiasm of the sons of the Empire.
There is always an inspiration in young-man-hood. I know they dream dreams; but sir, in the hour of danger they cease to dream, & they have visions, not of their own littleness, but of their Empires’ greatness.
Mark you, I do not mean to say that our older men have not done their duty, nor that they are not inspired. They have, and are doing their duty; but this is a war of this generation, that the past generation are assisting in.
We go the whole length & breadth of our Empire & we witness the same scenes everywhere.
Africa has sent her young men to fight for us, and as they have come they have re-echoed those endearing sentiments of loyalty as they have said – “Whosoever touches England, touches us, because we are part & parcel of her greatness.
Enthusiasm! What a marvellous word. Canada’s sons have learned its deep meaning as they have offered their life blood for the cause of freedom; and as we also come to realise of the imperishable glory that has been gained by the “Anzacs” of Australia & New Zealand, we are bound to say that a great feature of our national life is – the enthusiasm of our Empires manhood.
India needs no further testimony than that her loyalty is written in blood on the Battlefields of Flanders
Do soldiers lack enthusiasm? Nay. They may sometimes be sad; courage may fail them in their hours of loneliness; they sometimes become home-sick, but they never lose heart; their enthusiasm is never dwarfed. England’s soldiers always sing when it rains; and grumble most when the sun shines.
I think too, that the very vitality of our nation is hidden in its young manhood; but it is developed & revealed in those who have known & experienced the trials of life.
Young men dream dreams, old men see visions.
Youth is eternal. It may know its limitations, but it knows not danger; and already it has a glorious testimony to give to the future generations; & I firmly believe that the Eternal God has great cause to rejoice over the unselfish sacrifices that have been made by His creation.
And that is not all. We have another remarkable characteristic of our national life, & that is – the entire absence of the fear of calamity. Defeat to England spells Hell. Bitter, deep. Eternal Hell. Even a soul that is crushed is filled with remorse; and a nation that is remorseful has the ever present fear of a calamity.
Calamity! What does it mean? Peace, Joy, Happiness, Security? NAY. There are no virtues in calamity. Home-life loses its sacredness when there is an ever-present fear; and a nation loses its moral force when it expects the worst.
But we have lost fear & gained hope, we have discarded sentiment & embraced faith; and we stand before the world as the leader of nations. To us, the future is bright. There are only shadows now, & over the Eternal Hills we see the rising dawn. Nor have we any terror. The weak selfishness of our former life has been given up. & we, as sons of England, endure hardness that freedom may be exalted. Thus England’s son’s fight, while her daughters work, love, & weep, & everywhere we see a glorious Faith evidenced. We are inspired; yea, we are proud & thank Heaven for our calling. We are called to redeem the nation & redemption spells hope.
Honor, too, has always had a recognised value (except in certain cases). That is ever a grand feature of Englishmen that they recognise Honor. They value its meaning. The Old Book says – That wisdom is beyond the price of rubies”, & I think it can be as truly said – That honor is beyond the price of gold.
Gold may help a nation, but it never makes a nation; yet honor is always an important factor in a successful nation’s life. Blood may be rich, but honour is richer; and it is idle to suppose that sacrifice is useless, & death loss.
I am well aware that contentment is great again; and we as a nation might have been contented, we could have said – Oh, never mind about other nations, we are alright.
But I ask the question – Is any nation safe when it will not take up arms against the wrong, & when it refuses to fight for those Eternal Principles of Freedom, Toleration, & Justice? Never, never safe. Far better to die fighting, than to fight dying.
We value honor, it is sacred, yea, it is Eternal in its application of principle. Where should we have been today had we not rolled up our sleeves? God alone knows! But this we do know – enthusiasm would have been known by another
name, & faith & hope would almost have been akin to calamity.
I think one of the greatest privileges of today is – for a person to be able to say – I am an Englishman.
We are the covenanters of the 20th century. The Defenders of Faith. Every soldier is an hero. They are large-hearted, sympathetic, and above all, honorable. We have learned those principles at our mother’s knee & have been told them from the “Book of Life”.
Such principles have become dear to us, yea, so dear, that we fight for them, not that we want to fight, but because we feel bound by the sacred Law of Heaven to defend the weak from invasion & oppression. How gallant then are England’s sons.
I know there are scenes of sadness, & almost everywhere we see the weeping eye. Here are faces flushed & sad, hearts heavy & footsteps slow. But Sir, I would rather my mother weep over my dead bones today; I’d rather her heart be heavy, & her dear face flushed & sad, than that life should be a misery to her in future days.
Life has been outraged enough. Death has had too many terrors. Such outrages must be atoned for, such terror must cease.
Therefore to accomplish our object everyone is needed. Every man in his place, & doing his best when he is there.
This is not the age for slackers. We need Moral Stability, and thank God such a power is increasing; & we are now recognising that life is dearer than death, & that it has an Eternal purpose ever among the nations.
Thus we go forward, & as we forward go we hear ringing in our ears – “We shall miss you, but we think you ought to go”.
Our loved ones are urging us on, not that they may weep, but they may enjoy life free from Hellish care.
Yes, they bid us go & in sweet words they say – “There are flowers beneath the snow lad, and behind the clouds the sun. there are fringes to bestow, lad, when the tiring race is run.
Then be true & hoping ever, firm of purpose, strong of soul. There’s a promise in the future thy reward shall come at last.
Though the hours be void of song, lad, though the stars be overcast. There’s no night, however long, lad, but shall wear to morn at last. Then take heart, continue striving looking onward evermore, there shall be a blest reunion over on the other shore.
So with Heaven’s Benediction resting upon us, we pursue our way. We sacrifice because we love. The grave is not our goal.
We desire Earth to be a fairer place, & Heaven to be a blessing to all. Therefore you who must stay at Home, we crave your sympathy & love, & in God’s name, I ask you never to forget us.
Remember us here in England. There are dangers here to face; and the soldier is a great factor in His Nation’s life no matter where he is.
So I pray you to ask God with us, that we may be kept safe & pure. The soldiers don’t forget you, & you will never forget them. We are out for Honor & Freedom, & for all that makes life worth living, & when we come back, and the war is over, then we’ll rest in peace & breathe the purer air of a happier & brighter country.
May God be with you & yours is the sincere prayer of one who prays for you in your ministry.
Sincerely yours.
J.W. Brotherhood.
There is no envelope with this letter.
The Bay Museum & Research Facility 