Get Beyond the War

When thinking of the war, if we simply think of the horror, bloodshed, and the loss of relatives we shall naturally become depressed.  We have got to get beyond the war and see what is behind it.  I believe with my whole heart that a victory, unless we are faithless, is absolutely certain, because I believe in the eternity of God and His resources.

-       The Bishop of London[1]

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[1] Arthur Foley Winnington Ingram (1858-1946), English divine, was born in Worcestershire, and educated at Marlborough College and Keble College, Oxford. His first curacy was at St. Mary’s, Shrewsbury, in 1884; in 1885 he became private chaplain to the Bishop of Lichfield and in 1889 head of the Oxford House, Bethnal Green, where he gained much popularity owing to his devoted work among the East End poor. In 1897 he was appointed suffragan bishop of Stepney, which carried with it a canonry in St. Paul’s.

In 1901, after the death of Dr. Mandell Creighton, Arthur was nominated by the Crown to the see of London. The appointment, which had hitherto been reserved for ecclesiastics of marked ability as scholars or administrators, excited much comment; but it was undoubtedly popular, and this popularity was confirmed when it was realized that the bishop intended to carry on in his new sphere the democratic traditions of his East End activities. As a preacher he proved very successful with simple people, and during the World War he threw himself into the work of providing religious instruction for the fighting men, visiting both the French front and the Grand Fleet.

Early in the War, particularly in the wake of Germany’s wanton destruction of Belgium, the Bishop delivered sermons calling for the annihilation of Germany and its people.  Church leadership felt he was too extreme, and apparently counseled with him. In June 1917 he presided over a funeral for 16 infants killed in a German bombing raid. His comments were much more reserved: “We must be careful that indignation drives us to right action,” and that he did not believe that the mourners would wish that 16 German babies should lie dead to avenge their loss. The above words on “getting beyond the war” seem to spring from the changed attitude he exhibited in 1917. This may be a hint regarding the timeline of Clare’s book. Perhaps by now, she was 15 years old.