During my illness this letter came to me. I have preserved it and now print it. It is a sample of hundreds of similar letters, showing the zeal of godly soldiers to bring their comrades to Christ. These are the class of men we are asking you to help us to send Testaments to today. He says:—
Dear Doctor,—I was so sorry to hear that you have been very weak in body for some months past, but so glad to hear also that you were a little stronger, and I trust by this time it has pleased the Lord to make you still stronger. Our united prayers are going up to the “Throne of Grace” for you. I will give you what is called,
“Pearl Drops of Precious Truth”
“Let Christ’s love bear most court (influence) in your soul, and that love will bear down the love of other things.”—Samuel Rutherford.
“One gem from that Ocean (the Bible) is worth all pebbles of earthly streams.”—Ibid.
“Jesus sendeth not away beggars from His house with a thorn (empty) dish.”—Ibid.
“Oh, for closer communion with God, till soul, and body, head, face, and heart, shine with Divine brilliancy! But, oh, for a holy ignorance of our shining!”—Ibid.
“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million of enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference. He is praying for me!”—Ibid.
“Turn the Bible into prayer. Live to be missed.”—Ibid.
“The peace of being forgiven; it lightens all labor, sweetens every morsel of bread, and makes a sick bed all soft and downy.”—Ibid.
“This is the noblest science, to know how to live in hourly communion with God in Christ.”—Ibid.
“Learn to believe Christ better than His strokes; Himself and His promises better than His Blooms.”—Ibid.
“Whoever overlooks the person of Christ will never find the true God, and shall only miserably deceive himself (John 16:11These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. (John 16:1)). Whoever does not find God in Christ, will never find Him, let him seek Him where he will; and much less will he ever find, out of Christ, what is the Father’s will and pleasure.”—Ibid.
Am thinking, dear Doctor, you may know some of these, if not all. Now I want to thank you for another splendid “free grant” parcel you sent for the boys at Crowborough Camp. You will be glad to know I still am having encouraging times. I gave a “Message” for August to a man on guard as he stood in his box sheltering from the rain. He looked at it and said, “It’s quite a treat to see anything like this.” I asked why. As he hesitated, I asked again. “Are you a Christian?” “Yes,” said he. I asked, “Where are your sins?” “Washed in the blood,” said he. My heart rejoiced. I then got my pen out and asked his name and the hut and line he was in. I am finding him the first opportunity. On another occasion I gave “Message” for August, also a Gospel, to another on guard, while sitting in his box. “Thank you very much,” said he, and his smile seemed to make me think he was a Christian. The next morning I had occasion to pass the same box, and, with my usual remark, “Excuse me passing you, guard,” after giving guard “Message” for August, passing on I noticed on the pound near the box a Gospel which had evidently been there all night in the rain. Seeing some pencil marks about it I was curious to pick it up, and after looking at it I came to the conclusion that the man that gratefully received it the day before had read and marked in it, leaving it in the box for the next man on, who, perhaps, flung it to the winds and rain. I will enclose it for you.
This morning, in the huts early, I gave books, also cards for Testaments, and some of the boys filled their cards up and asked if I would kindly post them. In the evening some of your Testaments were received. (Excuse my scribble, my pen wants a bath, I think.) Today, dinner-time, I gave a big robust sergeant a Testament, also I handed. him “Does an heroic death wipe out past misdeeds?” “Yes,” said he, “I think so.” “No, sergeant,” said I; “only the heroic death of the Lord Jesus.” By this time another sergeant was near, and he, looking at the other (sergeant of the mess), said, “No, I don’t believe any heroic deed we might do could wipe out past misdeeds.” “Good, sergeant,” said I; and then duty called them away, and I got at my dinner, after which I found several others who wanted cards for Testaments. One asked for “Travelers’ Guide.” After dinner, while at my work, I saw another man sitting outside of a cookhouse, reading a “Travelers’ Guide.” I gave him it before dinner, pointing; out the little bit about. the “Jester” for him to read. Praise the Lord, there is joy in it all. May His Holy Name be glorified.
Yours gratefully in His service, C. GOLDSMITH.