Of course, the Church's teaching had regard to the condition of its own
members after death, and we cannot press it into an argument as to those
not dying, technically, in a state of grace; but at least this much we
may say: Surely no intelligent person can contemplate the thought of
these vast hosts being hurried off into eternal perdition, and at the
same time retain his reason or his faith in a God of love. Whatever the
possibilities of the world to come, they are but the extension of the
boundless love of God in Christ, and hold out no promise for us if we
wilfully neglect our day of grace.

But now to pass on to one further source of consolation which comes
in its measure to all the bereaved alike; the chastened joy from the
thought of the splendid sacrifice the dear one has been privileged
to make.

Take an illustration--a letter from Major-General Allenby to Lady de
Crespigny on the death of her son:--


"Dear Lady de Crespigny,--I and the whole of the Cavalry
Division sympathise with you, and we feel deeply for Norman's loss.
But I must tell you that he died a hero's death. The brigade was hotly
engaged, and on the Bays fell the brunt of the fighting on September
1st. Norman, with a few men, was holding an important tactical point,
and he held it till every man was killed or wounded. No man could have
done more, few would have done so much.

"With deepest sympathy, yours sincerely,