The Life and Letters of William Boyd Carpenter, Bishop of Ripon, page 264, by H. D. A. Major, 1925
The letter:
Zarskoe Selo.
Jan. 20th/Feb. 2nd, 1915.
DEAR BISHOP,
As there is an occasion for sending a letter to-day, I hasten to thank you for your kind new year's wishes wh. I heartily reciprocate. You cannot think what pleasure it gave me hearing from you — every word from an old friend in times of great sorrow or anxiety acts as balm upon the heart. We can only trust and pray that this terrible war may soon come to an end — the suffering around is too intense. You, who know all the members of our family so well, can understand what we go through — relations on all sides, one against the other. And the gross disappointment of seeing a country morally sinking into such depths, as Germany has, is bitter to behold. It is all so wonderful! And France, where systematically the government was trying to crush out the influence of Church and Religion, has been obliged to get Priests for the army. Well certainly, prayer and work alone can help one through such times of sorrow. — You kindly asked after our children, thank God they are keeping well; the two eldest daughters help me very much nursing the wounded, dressing their wounds, looking after their families, and so forth. I overtired my heart again, so had to give up my hospital work for some time and miss it sorely. It does one no end of good being with those brave fellows — how resignedly they bear all pain and loss of limbs! "Christ suffered, so we must suffer too" — many such a word do you hear from the lips of a suffering soldier. But I must close my letter now. Kindly remember my dear ones and me in your prayers, and believe me,
Yrs. sincerely,
ALEXANDRA.
Above: Alexandra as a nurse with a couple of her patients at her hospital.
Above: William Boyd Carpenter, Bishop of Ripon.
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