22 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS 
in hardship, in suffering. So although the sacrifice on the 
battle-field is beyond computation, yet since it is a willing saeri- 
fice, it has an ennobling influence on mankind. But what of 
the heartaches of the bereaved ones at home? This is a subject 
too delicate for me to handle, too sacred to discuss. And so I 
leave it to good old Father Time, who hath balm to heal and 
oil to anoint the wounded and stricken in heart. Was any good 
accomplished by the late Boer war? Yes, you say, the British 
Empire was knit more firmly together. The spirit of the Colon- 
ies was revealed to the Motherland in a way she could not but . 
understand. An object lesson was put before the world which 
showed the solidarity and strength of our empire, and which did 
much to command the respect of our foes, and so maintain the 
peace of the world. The long and sinewy arm of Britain was 
felt at the ends of the earth. A Magersfontein showed forth. 
once again the mettle of the old world soldier, and a 
Hart’s River the dash and daring of the new. Is any 
good being accomplished by the present war? JRussia is being 
taught much-needed lessons. Her duplicity and greed are being 
rebuked. The government of Russia, her administration of jus- 
tice, even her national church are amongst the most corrupt in- 
stitutions on the face of the earth to-day. After the late 
China-Japanese war, Russia stepped in and prevented Japan 
from reaping the fruits of her victory, under the pretence of 
preserving the integrity of China, but with the secret object of 
acquiring Manchuria for herself. If Japan succeeds in carrying 
to a successful conclusion the contest she has so gloriously be- 
gun, she will have accomplished results for Russia herself, and 
for the world at large, which it would have taken centuries 
possibly, otherwise, to bring about. Japan will come forth 
from this baptism of blood chastened and enriched, and prepared 
to go forward even more rapidly than before in the path of civil- 
ization and progress; thus becoming a beacon light of hope 
set before the gaze of the millions of the yellow race. Russia 
will turn her attention less to extension of empire and more to 
the good government and development of her Sclavonie people. 
So the world will move on towards the goal of peace between 
ee 
i etn 8 Se 
