Autumn tints coloured the maple trees on the sides of the ancient mountains.

Here was Canada quickening into national life and girding on the sword to take her place among the independent nations of the world.

It had been my privilege, fifteen years before, to preach at the farewell service in Quebec Cathedral for the Canadian Contingent going to the South African war.

It seemed to me then that never again should I have such an experience.

Yet on that occasion there were only a thousand men present, and here were fifteen times that number.