I should like some of those people who talk about the purifying influence of suffering to have a mouthful of gas and see how they liked it.
Vicar.
The war is terrible. Its cruelty is terrible. The suffering it has caused is terrible. There is only one explanation for it; and that is the loving kindness and the infinite mercy of our heavenly Father.
John.
Can you bring yourself to believe that?
Vicar.
We were given over to drunkenness and lust, to selfishness and flippancy and pride. It needed this tremendous trial to purify us. It will be a nobler England that comes out of the furnace. Oh, I pray to God that all this blood may wash our souls clean so that we may once more be found worthy in His sight.
Mrs. Poole.
Amen.
John.