Long Soldier Lane

The local parish council has positioned a series of dark, metal silhouette-figures about the village, in the shape of soldiers of the Great War. One was positioned on Long Lover Lane as one approaches the chapel from Howgill which certainly arrested the attention of car drivers, some of whom initially mistook it for a hitchhiker. Although unusual for this area, somebody wanting a lift it is hardly a terrifying prospect until one recalls that this particular fellow is casually gripping a rifle.

Last week, the silhouette disappeared. The vice-chairman of the parish council, who attends the chapel, asked me if I had seen anything untoward; it appeared that a person or persons unknown had stolen the sign. We both shook our heads and tut-tutted at this further instance of Great Britain’s moral descent. Thankfully, it was mysteriously re-erected on the Monday. It turns out that it had been removed by certain horse riders who frequented the lane, whose mode of transport the sign had repeatedly spooked.

A rifle-bearing man standing atop Long Lover Lane wearing a peaked cap: it upset the horses and alarmed motorists, until they realised what it meant, their feelings turning to warmth and appreciation (I cannot vouch for the horses). Yet that shadow of a soldier ought to spook us more, not less. Many people I talk to are expecting war (with Russia, mainly, but civil war, alarmingly, has also been mentioned), not least on account of His Majesty’s Government telling us to stock up on bottled water and tinned food. I am a little sceptical of this. If Ministers think war a likely prospect, one wonders why the defence budget has been increased by only 3.2% when inflation is currently at 3.5-3.6%. If there is conflict in the West, the economic shocks will be felt around the globe for decades to come. The resulting poverty, civil disorder and inevitable shortages would be just as dangerous as the weapons which unleashed them. We are told by the Lord Himself that "wars and rumours of wars" will continue until the end of history and are a ‘normal’ feature of an abnormal, fallen planet. If 2020 was characterised by disease, 2030 might be remembered for its violence, so let us pray that we are still found faithful and that opportunities to serve the Lord and our people are seized and utilised.

Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your ploughshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. Joel 3:9-11

Today, we remember them. 

A.