less true to-day! The Germans have crossed our eastern frontier.
It is reported that they are already burning towns and killing
the inhabitants if they resist. God knows what may be before us.
Our good King Albert has asked Parliament to refuse the demands
of the Germans. In spite of their solemn treaty with us, they
demand that we permit them to cross Belgium to attack France. To
this our brave King and Parliament will never consent; no true
Belgian would wish them to. There is, then, this choice either
to submit absolutely to the invasion of our country, or to defend
it! The army is already in the field."

There was a moment of heavy silence as he finished speaking. Then
the voice of the Burgomeister's wife was heard in the stillness.
"Oh, Mynheer Pastoor," she said to the priest, "what shall we do?
There is no place to go to we have no refuge!"

"God is our refuge and strength, my children," said the priest,
lifting his eyes to heaven. "We have no other! You must stay
here, and if the terrible Germans come, hide yourselves away as
best you can, until they have passed by. Do not anger them by
resisting. Bow your heads to the storm and have faith in God that
it may soon pass over." He turned and led the way toward the
little church as he spoke. "Come," he said, "let us pray before
God's holy altar, and if the enemy comes, seek refuge in the
church itself. Surely even the Germans will respect the
sanctuary."

Solemnly the people filed into the little church, lighted only by
the candles on the altar, and knelt upon the hard floor. The
priest left them there, praying silently, while he went to put on