They were
surrounded by stretcher-bearers, who said to them:
"We do not dare throw earth on the bodies of our comrades without a
prayer being said over them."
The Catholic priest asked to what faith they belonged.
"We do not know. How can we find out? But can't you arrange among
yourselves?"
"Well, we shall bless them one after the other."
And there in the bleeding night was seen the incomparable sight of the
three men side by side, the Catholic, the Protestant and the Jew,
reciting the last prayer and disappearing....
M. Maurice Barres, the celebrated French writer, from whose
magnificent book, "The Spiritual Families of France," I have borrowed
a great number of the letters I have quoted, has pointed out that all
French churches are fighting in this hour, forming one great church.
Yes, every church and every saint is fighting! These saints belong to
all beliefs, some of them to no belief. But one religion has united
and solidified them all--the religion of their country, the religion
of Liberty, the religion of civilization. All speak the same prayer,
all have the same faith in their hearts, all fall martyrs in the same
cause.
The old walls which, in times of peace, separated parties and men,
have crumbled into dust at the same time when the German shells
crumbled into dust the little village churches.
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