Nature had not changed; neither had the Author of Nature whose creatures are all men and whose ways are wise and just. For He whose "Mills grind slowly yet grind exceedingly small" is likewise He whose Master hand has written in this our own day, the illuminated Manuscript of her solemn Canonization.
The golden fingers of next morning's sun were scattering incense of light over Joan's Altar as I began Mass. The lips of Old Glory kissed the Gospel side, while the tri-color of France was draped on the Epistle. A nun of the village answered the responses. Reverently I besought the Author of All that is Right and Mighty upon the earth to bless our President; to be light to his path, wisdom to his mind, and right hand to his endeavor. That rulers of earth might base their deliberations on the rock of the Divine; mindful, that "unless the Lord build the house in vain does he labor who would build it."
On December fifteenth I wrote as follows:
Headquarters Seventh Division, American Expeditionary Forces, France
Hon. Woodrow Wilson, President, American Embassy, Paris.
My dear Mr. President:
May I be permitted the honor of informing you that on Saturday morning, December fourteenth, I said Mass on the Altar of Jeanne d'Arc in her old church at Domremy, praying and believing that God would bless and direct you, as of old He did the Maid, as His chosen representative of Justice and enduring Peace.
Most respectfully and devotedly yours,
George T. McCarthy,
Senior Chaplain, Seventh Division,
A. P. O. 793.
On December twenty-fifth I received the following:
Rev. George T. McCarthy, Senior Chaplain, Seventh Division, A. P. O. 793.
My dear Chaplain McCarthy:
The President directs me to acknowledge receipt of your letter of December fifteenth and to thank you for it. It is indeed gratifying for him to know that you are thinking of him and praying for him especially in these critical times.