A solemn letter has reached me from Mr. J. J. R. Short, in which he speaks of the “soul-snaring” teaching among our soldiers, of which he has, as he says, “first-hand knowledge.” Let him tell the story: ―
“Mr. and Mrs. H― whom I know intimately, had a son, aged eighteen, in the Artillery. In June last Mr. H― came home one Sunday evening and told his wife that the speaker had said that some were preaching at the Front that if a soldier died fighting for his country he would go to heaven: Mrs. H― was greatly upset, and declared she would write to her boy at the Front that very night, and tell him once again that the only way he could be saved was by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. That letter was sent— was received by the son and acknowledged.
“Early in July Mr. and Mrs. H― received official news that their son was wounded, and soon after came the further news of his death. The parents, in their grief, were very anxious to learn all particulars of their son’s death and place of burial, and, above all, as to his state of soul, so they wrote to the Captain of the Battery. He most kindly wrote back particulars of the lad’s wounding, and such other information as he knew, adding his sincere sympathy with them in their loss, and encouraging them about their son’s future state, ‘because of the opinion expressed by their chaplain in a sermon.’”
The following is the extract of the Captain’s letter: ―
“I think your fears about your son’s future state are unfounded. I heard a very good sermon out here in which the chaplain said that he personally had no doubt at all that all men who voluntarily enlisted to fight for their country and who got killed would go to heaven, as in whatever way it was looked at it is the supreme sacrifice of a man. This has been a great comfort to me personally and ought to be to many others.”
There could be no comfort to the sorrowing parents in this letter. The awful part is that this chaplain and others should be at the Front using their wonderful opportunities in promulgating “doctrines of devils” instead of the truth of God. How will these traitors to Christ face Him in eternity? They are denying on earth the need of His cross and His atoning work.
Ah! the need, the terrible heartbreaking-need, of the Word of God to be put into every soldier’s hand; it is the only antidote to this poison from hell. We can say, thank God, with all our hearts, as we think of the sinner’s need and the Saviour’s love.
“Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power.”
No, it will never lose its power. Twentieth century blasphemy will not alter God’s eternal purposes. Man may seek to bury John 3:16,16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) but the power of its abiding glory will bless millions yet. I solemnly declare, my reader that I rest my soul for all eternity upon the finished work of Christ. I rest my hopes of heaven on the fact that He is there Who once bore my sins in His own body on the tree. I want no other way to heaven than Christ the Way. I want no other door to salvation than Christ the Door. I want no other name than the Name of Jesus — no other work than His finished work. I am content, yes, my God, well content with what Christ has done for me. He is my Saviour, and there is no salvation apart from Him. Those who despise His finished work, as the chaplain did of whom the captain wrote, will one day hear the Lord Jesus say, “Behold ye despisers and wonder and perish.” ‘God can have no pity on men who do despite to His Son, and set at naught His precious blood.