In this sign, conquer. When the evacuation was proceeding at Dunkirk, not many miles away another battle raged at Calais, where a little force of 3,000 British and 1,000 French soldiers "spurned" the German demand for surrender and fought on with unfaltering resolution for four days, until, to quote the Prime Minister's moving tribute, "the silence reigned over Calais which marked the end of a memorable resistance." The dark flood poured into the silent city, but not to conquer: a standard still stood upraised above the dead, the cross of sacrifice. Here was victory won in defeat, a light shining in the darkness, unconquered and unconquerable. The spirit cannot die. It is the torch that comes to us from "failing hands" Be ours to hold it high, lest we break faith with those who die.
We entered the war nearly a year ago with the thought, "We are fighting evil things. Let us not forget that fact. It has become increasingly evident as the days pass that it is a war in which every man, woman and child has a part to play—at home in the heart of the Empire, and equally out here on the fringes of it. This has been called the people's war, and although our Navy, Army and Air Force keep, their ceaseless. vj manifesting a striking power as the occasion offers which shows the world that the fighting men of the Empire can proudly maintain the high traditions of former years, nevertheless this is not a war of outposts or front line trenches. It is a war in which, as never before, the whole people share a common danger and have a common duty of unselfish service for common good. We are committed to a struggle which permits no noncombatants. There can be no compromise, no weakening no selfish holding back. The Cross is in the field and the great truth stands out clearly in the sight of all, that all true service is sacrificial and all real sácrifice is redemptive. chance to give and dare all for his principles, like the martyrs of old."
Yes! every individual! He speaks truly. We may not be called upon to make the great sacrifice, even as he did, but to us, as to him, comes the chance to give and dare all. As ihe young manhood of the Empire def their civilian clothes and put on the blue, the khaki and grey of the Services, we entrust to them the initiative in attack and defence, but they entrust to us much more than that. They leave in our keeping all that makes life worth while and worth fighting for. We cannot betray that trust. Let our hearts and our hands be clean, Now is the greatest moment in our history. Let us rise through courage and sacrifice to play our "We Can Give Courage"
What, then, can we do who must remain out here in comparative safety? Well, this at least—we can contribute to the war funds. There are various methods open to us, and even if we are only able to give what seems insignificant the little amounts add up: but money is only one thing. We can give courage: bear about with us in our whole attitude toward life the infection of the spit that rcfuses despair or discouragement. We can render service: give ourselves in hundred ways, worth more perhaps the end than the generous cheques we would like to give but cannot. We can try in every war to make life easier for others, many of whom carry heavy burdens of care and responsibility; bring to everything we touch that oil of cheerfulness and helpfulness which makes the wheels of life run smoothly and does so much to remove the friction that breeds bitterness and strife.
Then, as Lord Halifax reminded us the other day, "there is one thing we can all do, which may be much more powerful than we know, and that is to pray." He spoke of a Yorkshire village which had set an example by forming a sixth column, pledged to daily intercession in God's House of Prayer. He urged others to follow their example. Yes, we can all pray. Whether it be at home, or in this House of Prayer, God grant we may not fail in that ministry of intercession.
Surely recent happenings must have strengthened our conviction that God hears and answers prayer. The great volume of intercession that went up from the whole Empire, and wherever Britons gather, on May 26 was not unavailing. The deliverance of 350,000 men from what the enemy planned and believed to be their death trap at Dunkirk was a miracle in which forces above and beyond man's agency and control—tide, wind and water—played their part in support of courage, faith and endurance. A standard was uplifted there against the dark flood that stormed against them, and it was stayed. During that day of national prayer there were millions who ptayed that God would be on our side, that He would intervene on our behalf, and God answered that prayer.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.