personally, but the solemn asseveration which accompanied them was
made expressedly in the light of God and eternity. She then added
that she wished all her friends to know that she willingly gave her
life for her country, and said: 'I have no fear nor shrinking; I
have seen death so often that it is not strange or fearful to me.'
She further said: 'I thank God for this ten weeks' quiet before the
end.' 'Life has always been hurried and full of difficulty.' 'This
time of rest has been a great mercy.' 'They have all been very kind
to me here. But this I would say, standing as I do in view of God
and eternity, I realise that patriotism is not enough. I must have
no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.'
"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 assurance of God'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
noblest 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 noblest Paganism and the best
of Christianity is apparent. Truly the light of Calvary illumined her
dark cell! Standing "in view of God and eternity," she uttered the
deeply pregnant sentence that "patriotism is not enough." Her
executioners had illustrated 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 illustrated 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 sex, who for all time will be mourned as
was the noblest 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!_
* * * * * * *
_Printed in Great Britain._
End of Project Gutenberg's The Case of Edith Cavell, by James M. Beck