DELIGHTFUL as rambles by the sea-shore were to our young friends, Harry Grange found almost equal attractions on Sandrock Common, though it could lay claim to but little of natural beauty. A review was in progress one bright morning as our party were on their way to the beach, and at Harry's earnest request, Mr. Grange consented to stay for a short time, and so give them an opportunity of observing the movements of the troops.
Several hundred men, all wearing the uniform of their different regiments, were divided into companies, while their officers, mounted on beautiful and spirited horses, rode quickly from rank to rank.
Military bands were playing, regimental colors flying, and Harry thought he had never witnessed a more enchanting scene. But when, for a moment, the boy turned from what was passing before his eyes, he could not help noticing that his father's face wore a grave, almost troubled look.
“Oh, father, I think it is splendid, but I see you don't care about it," Harry said in a somewhat disappointed tone.
Did Mr. Grange hear Harry, or was he speaking to himself, as slowly and impressively he repeated a bible verse?
“And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Mic. 4:33And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Micah 4:3).) Then seeing that Harry had not understood his words, he added, "A review may be in itself what many people would call a grand sight, but when we remember that these men are not playing at soldiers, but training for war, I cannot help feeling it is a solemn thing.”
“But, Papa, if a war should break out, and these soldiers be obliged to do real fighting, you know that they will only kill their enemies," Constance said, as if anxious to take sides with her brother.
“Think for a moment, Connie, if you are quite sure that such a way of treating our enemies will bear the light of God's word," Mr. Grange said gently.
Constance was silent, but Dora, who had taken out her pocket Testament, asked, "Is this the verse you mean, Uncle Edward? But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.'" (Matt. 5:4444But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44).)
“Thank you, Dora. You see we have plain directions from the life of the Lord Himself, about the way in which we are to treat our enemies. We know too, that when He was on the cross He prayed for His murderers, saying, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' (Luke 23:3434Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34).) And if His law of love is written in our hearts we shall seek to follow in His steps who went about doing good.”
“But Father, all the boys at my school are very fond of playing at soldiers; you don't think it is wrong, do you?”
“No, Harry, I do not object to you spending part of your play-time in marching erect, and it may surprise you a little, after what I have said, to know that my earnest desire and prayer for each one of you is, that you may be not only make-believe, but true and good soldiers.”
“Oh, Papa, we don't quite know what you mean, "Constance interposed with a merry laugh." I don't care much about even playing at soldiers, so I am sure I should not like to be a real one.”
“I don't think girls would be much use for soldiers," Harry said in a very decided way.
“Why not, Harry?" Mr. Grange asked with a smile.
“You know, father, a real soldier has to learn to fire guns and dig trenches, and do lots of things girls are not a bit of good for. A boy at our school has a brother in the Army, and he told me all about it.”
“A soldier, Harry, has to obey orders, simply to do as he or she is told. I think you know that in the word of God Christians are spoken of under what are called figures-sometimes as running in a race, sometimes as fighting in a battle. Now soldiers need a captain or commander, and the Lord Jesus Christ is Himself said to be the captain of our salvation, and the apostle Paul, when writing to his son in the faith, Timothy, told him to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; and the same apostle, in his letters to the believers who were living at Ephesus, wrote, 'Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God.' (Eph. 6:1313Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13).)
“Now the Ephesians must often have seen Roman soldiers wearing suits of armor, or coats and caps made of thin plates of iron or steel, so I do not think it would be very hard for them to understand what was in the mind of Paul when he wrote to them about armor.
“We cannot as Christians do without shield and sword in the battle or warfare in which we are engaged. You remember the shield is to defend the soldier, the sword he must use for attack. But I think Dora has something to tell us.”
“Yes, uncle, Harry seems to think that all the fighting ought to be done by the men and boys But I remember some lines mother used often to repeat; I think I know them:
“‘And thou of gentle spirit,
Formed not for earth's fierce fight,
May yet be Christ's brave soldier,
And honored in His sight.’”
“Yes, Dora, your lines express just what I wanted to say to you. You and I fight under the same banner. We owe the prompt, loving obedience of good soldiers unto Him who loveth us and has washed us from our sins in His own precious blood.
“But I had no idea how late it was getting, so I must leave you to go down to the beach alone this morning, as I have important letters to write. But if Dora will give up her shell collecting and return with me I shall be glad of her company.”
“Oh, Papa, please don't take Dora away; we all want her, indeed we do. She is going to build me a castle on the sand, and dig a real moat all round it, and we are going to make the queen's garden quite gay with seaweeds, and Dora knows where to find the best," Eva pleaded with an appealing look at her father.
“Dora is quite free, Eva; I lay no commands upon her," Mr. Grange replied. Then turning to his niece asked, "How are you going to decide?”
For a few moments Dora stood irresolute, then turning to her uncle, said brightly, “You lay no command on me, Uncle Edward, but I think from your manner that you wish me to return with you, though I cannot even guess you reason. I am glad to do what will please you, Eva darling, I won't forget your castle this after noon, and I think, too, that Harry is counting on my help in mending his fishing net. But I must not keep uncle waiting.”
As Mr. Grange and Dora took a path across the Common leading to their lodging, the former said, "I think you are having a happy holiday, Dora.”
A glad smile lighted her face as she answered, "Oh yes, Uncle Edward, I cannot tell how much I am enjoying it all. It was very kind of you and Aunt Lucy to bring me. But please, dear Uncle, don't think I am an ungrateful girl if I tell you there is just one thing I can't help wishing for sometimes. If dear mother could only be with us it would be delightful.”
Mr. Grange smiled. "Yes, Dora I think it would be delightful, and I think I should welcome my sister almost as gladly as you would your mother. And now I am going to tell you a secret, soon I hope to be one no longer. Ever since we came to Sandrock, your aunt and myself have been anxious that your mother should make one of the party. But difficulties, of which I need not speak now, stood in the way of her coming to us, and it was her wish that we should not say a word to you about our hope that she would be able to join us. It was a great comfort to me to remember a Bible word, ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord?' So I was encouraged to make my desire known to Him in prayer. Only this morning the post brought a letter from your mother, telling how, one by one, difficulties had been cleared away, and we might look for her arrival by the 10:30 train this morning. Your aunt arranged to meet her at the station, and it was to give you the pleasure of a little quiet time together before the children came in that I asked you to give up your morning on the beach and return with me.”
They were within sight of the house as Mr. Grange ceased speaking. Dora did not reply, but bounded forward with a cry of delight, for she had caught sight of her mother's face looking out from the open window of the sitting-room, and in another moment Mrs. Hilton and Dora, with hearts too full for words, were clasped in each other's arms.