Page:The Royal Family of France (Henry).djvu/58

 V.

COVENANT.

has doubtless played a great part in the history ot humanity. The French nation has had a great share in the work of civilization, in social progress. Amongst European peoples, the people of France have left a very deep, a very luminous track across the path of History.

In the design of Providence, France has been in her turn, and still is, a much favoured people out of those chosen by foreknowledge in word and event, chosen by the goodness of their mission, chosen by the greatness of their deeds; peoples to whose career surely no glory has been wanting, because of their constant belief both in God and justice, the refusal of which has been the greatest mistake in those of them who have been found wanting.

See the Jewish nation, for instance. Refusing to believe in prophecy, the Jews have become themselves a living prophecy. Handed down to the scorn of History, they have dragged on century after century a mutilated existence, their dispersed members ever sighing after a hopeless re-establishment. Pagan Rome is no more than the "lone mother of dead empires." Sixteen centuries ago its Eternal Empire crumbled to dust. A Cross above its ruined temples and Coliseums indicates the cause of its fall.

A large share of the inheritance both of the Jewish nation and Rome has been entrusted to France. To take heed for the morrow, we need only remember yesterday and reflect on to-day. Let us ask ourselves, therefore, why a most noble, mighty, illustrious nation in the world has fallen beneath a foreign foe as lately as in 1870, has become and still is a prey to demagogues; and how from standing erect, fear-inspiring, unparalleled amongst