The Case of Edith Cavell Part 4

"We partook of the Holy Communion together, and she received the Gospel message of consolation with all her heart. At the close of the little service I began to repeat the words 'Abide with me,' and she joined softly in the end.

"We sat quietly talking until it was time for me to go. She gave me parting messages for relations and friends. She spoke of her soul's needs at the moment, and she received the a.s.surance of G.o.d's Word as only the Christian can do.

"Then I said 'Good-bye,' and she smiled and said, 'We shall meet again.'

"The German military chaplain was with her at the end and afterwards gave her Christian burial.

"He told me: 'She was brave and bright to the last. She professed her Christian faith and that she was glad to die for her country.'

'She died like a heroine.'"

It would be interesting to compare these last hours of one of the n.o.blest women in English history to those of that rare and radiant Greek maiden, whom the genius of Sophocles has glorified in his immortal tragedy. The comparison is altogether in favour of the English heroine, for while Antigone went to her death bravely, yet her final words were those of bitter complaint and almost whining lamentation. Compare with these words the Christlike simplicity of Miss Cavell's last message to the world, and the difference between the n.o.blest Paganism and the best of Christianity is apparent. Truly the light of Calvary illumined her dark cell! Standing "in view of G.o.d and eternity," she uttered the deeply pregnant sentence that "patriotism is not enough." Her executioners had ill.u.s.trated this, for the ruthless killing of Edith Cavell for military purposes was actuated by that perverted spirit of patriotism which believes that any wrong is sanctified if it serves the State.

No one suggests that General von Bissing had any personal feeling against Miss Cavell. Indeed his conduct would be the more tolerable if it had been actuated by the spirit of anger. He killed her in cold blood and to strengthen the German occupation in Belgium. News of the very recent successes of the Allies in Flanders and in the Champagne districts in the great offensive had reached Belgium and had caused a perceptible ferment in that down-trodden people. It therefore seemed necessary to show the iron hand again and to the Prussian ideal, as already ill.u.s.trated by official proclamations of Prussian Generals, it was a matter of no consequence whose life was taken or whose right was invaded. It served to terrorize the Belgian people--Such was its real purpose.

And you, women of America and of the World! Will you not honor the memory of this martyr of your s.e.x, who for all time will be mourned as was the n.o.blest Greek maiden, Antigone, who also gave her life that her brother might have the rites of sepulture? Will you not carry on in her name and for her memory those sacred ministrations of mercy which were her lifework?

Make her cause--the cause of justice and mercy--your own!