“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Prov. 18:1010The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10)). “This was the thought in my mind,” said Private E. Foster, l0th Scottish Rifles, “when on the night of August 18th, 1918, we were advancing over ‘No Man’s Land,’ and I came across” four Germans, “whom I called to surrender, which they immediately did, afterward conducting them back to more men of our company. Shortly afterward the enemy came over, and attacked one of our platoons, quite a number of my comrades being killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. On one side of the road a lance-corporal machine gunner (W. Clark), a bright Christian witness amongst his comrades, was holding the Germans back whilst we were retiring. Having exhausted his ammunition, and being himself wounded, the lance-corporal unscrewed the butt end of his rifle and threw it at the enemy. He was eventually taken prisoner. During the retirement a heavy machine gun fire was kept up by the Germans, and here it was that a bullet made the impression which you here see on my steel helmet, wounding me in the head and finally entering the ground. By the Lord’s help I was, however, able to assist in bandaging other wounded (all the time under heavy rifle and machine gun fire), before going down to get my own wound attended to.
“Some of my comrades have often teased me about being a Christian, and taking prisoners, but I am sure the War has made many of them realize there is something in being a Christian. Moreover, being subject unto the higher powers, I felt that I was serving the powers that be which are ordained of God (see Rom. 13:1, 21Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (Romans 13:1‑2)). Some time ago a Christian sergeant told me that he felt more safe (when a murderous fire of the enemy was being poured into them) at the remembrance of Psalms 91:2,2I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psalm 91:2) than in the eight-feet thick concrete roofs of the enemy’s dug-outs.
Ah! many a brave soldier, strong and courageous, has plunged into the thick of the fight trusting to-some good fortune not to be touched, and yet when nigh to death his heart has failed him. I could tell you of many a soldier of the Regiment who, before going into the thick of the fight, would say to one another, ‘Let us get close up to old Jimmy, we shall sure to be all right then.’ Why! Because Jimmy was wont to exclaim, ‘The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, and the Lord, shall cover him all the day long.’ Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift (Christ). Millions through faith in His precious blood know their sins are forgiven. “Do you?” J. J. P.