He had caught sight of
that divine and wonderful order, by which God has constituted the
services of men, and angels, and all created things; that divine and
wonderful order by which sun and stars, fire and hail, wind and
vapour, cattle and creeping things fulfil his word.
Fulfil God's word. That was the thought, surely, which was in the
good soldier's mind, and which he was trying to speak out; clumsily,
perhaps, but truly enough. I suppose, then, that he thought in his
own mind somewhat in this way. 'There is a word of command among us
soldiers. Has God, then, no word of command likewise? And that
word of command is enough. Is not God's word of command enough
likewise? I merely speak, and I am obeyed. I am merely spoken to,
and I obey. Shall not God merely speak, and be obeyed likewise?
There is discipline and order among men, because it is necessary.
An Army cannot be manoeuvred, a Government cannot be carried on,
without it. Is there not a discipline and order in all heaven and
earth? And that discipline is carried out by simple word of
command. A word from me will make a man rush upon certain death. A
word from certain other men will make me rush on certain death. For
I am a man under authority. I have my tribune (colonel, as we
should say) over me; and he, again, the perfect (general of brigade)
over him.
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