A STRANGE picture we presented as, just returned, invalided, from Egypt, we alighted from the train at Netley. Several of the men had had a leg off, others an arm, others were suffering from fever of various kinds. As I stood, an invalid, amongst the rest, and noticed the pleasure and excitement all were in, being once more safe on dear England’s shore, I could not help wondering how many there would reach the eternal Home, and be amongst the number of those who stand in the golden street and sing the praises of Him who redeemed them to God by His blood.
Whilst such thoughts were passing through my mind, I noticed amongst the crowd, thronging the gate outside the hospital, an old woman. She had been waiting near the gate for three days in the hope that she might see her son. How she peered into every face as the men passed out of that gate! It was impossible to hinder the tears stealing down my cheeks as I gazed upon her, and thought of a mother’s love.
Officers in their gay uniforms passed by first, but no notice did the mother take of them; but when the men came, in their various uniforms according to their regiments, she looked eagerly into their faces. Nearly all the five hundred invalids had passed through, and a look of despair arose upon that mother’s face. She had not met the object of her love. At last the dying came. They were carries on stretchers, and the mother’s eyes were fixed intently on them. Amongst these was the emaciated form of a young man, apparently far gone in enteric fever. Could this be her son? Had she found her boy at last? She bent over that dying youth and gently whispered, “My son!”
The poor lad’s eye kindled; he attempted to raise his arms towards her as he exclaimed, “My mother!”
She had found him whom she had traveled miles to see, and she embraced him with all her love.
The mother’s love presents a picture of Jesus, dear reader, in patient love coming from heaven to seek and to save. His eye is upon the wanderer. None are too far gone for Him, and He says, “I have found My sheep which was lost.” J. H.