 When war broke out in August 1914 , Lang concluded that the conflict was righteous . Younger clergy should be encouraged to serve as military chaplains , but it was not their duty to fight . He thereafter was active in recruiting campaigns throughout his province . At a meeting in York in November 1914 he caused offence when he spoke out against excessive anti @-@ German propaganda , and recalled a " sacred memory " of the Kaiser kneeling with King Edward VII at the bier of Queen Victoria . These remarks , perceived as pro @-@ German , produced what Lang termed " a perfect hail of denunciation " . The strain of this period , coupled with the onset of alopecia , drastically altered Lang 's relatively youthful appearance to that of a bald and elderly @-@ looking man . His friends were shocked ; the king , meeting him on the Royal train , apparently burst into guffaws of laughter . 
