Lord, ere I join in deadly strife
And battle’s terrors dare,
First would I render soul and life
To Thine Almighty care.
And when grim death, in smoke-wreaths robed,
Comes thundering o’er the scene,
What fear ran reach the soldier’s heart,
Whose trust in Thee has been?
This verse was composed by Sir George Colley, who died at the battle of Majuba Hill.
Our dear friend, J.P.C., gives us another interesting episode in his work for God.
Sunday with the Soldiers
On July 18th 1915, about 7:15 p.m., I was walking through the recreation ground. I was led to take my Testament and open it. Before reading the verses, I addressed the people standing around by saying, “Good people all, I am eager for recruits. There are no limits in respect to age, height, chest measurement, or organic disease in those recruits I’m seeking.” Several groups of young fellows in khaki uniform were near. I said to them, “You have joined up, as the saying is, to serve King George. I call upon you to join up for the King of kings; then you will be safe for heaven whether you are killed at the Front or in any other way. The three verses I want to read to you are these, Matthew 11:28-30, ‘Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’
“And now one and all of you listen a few minutes while I tell of a ship’s crew. Many years ago, one Sunday afternoon, a Christian friend and I visited an English merchant ship in Malta Harbor. We went into the forecastle quarters of the crew. There were nine seamen present. They told us a long story of their hardships, and the severity of their captain. We listened till they had ended, and then, taking the Bible, said, ‘This little book contains a remedy for all those trials.’ We read the words quoted, and said, ‘You are all heavy laden, and your labor is hard, and by coming to Jesus all will be put right. And just notice, please, by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “Ye shall find rest to your souls.” Think of that friends! Pardon for all your sins is included in the bargain.’ We prayed with them, talked with them, wept with them, and ere the sunset seven of the nine came to Jesus as they were. They came with us on shore to the meeting-place for Christians. A little while after one said to them, ‘What about your hardships? Oh, it is true, He giveth rest to the soul.’ The ship left three months later, and a letter was written to us after a time, and the signature at the end was from ‘The blood washed ones of the Annie barque.’”