C. HAD been a soldier; one of those who went to fight at their country's call, not knowing when they would return. Many who went out with him were left behind on the other side of the Channel, their bodies resting in the fair land of France.
C. was a fine fellow over six feet in height, and made a brave soldier. After being in France some time, his company was called into action, and he was severely wounded.
For five days he lay on No Man's Land, without any help, keeping himself alive by feeding from the bags of his dead comrades, dragging himself along first to one, then to another. At last he dragged himself back to the British trenches, and got into hospital.
God's eye was upon him, but he did not think of God; and yet God loved him. He was brought home to England and underwent several operations, his hip joint having to be removed.
After a time he was able to leave hospital and get about on crutches. Still no turning to God; no thanks to Him for saving his life. But God loved C. Oh, the wonderful love of God, that loves me in spite of the fact that there is nothing in me to love!
As he got stronger, he began to take up some studies, which would enable him to be self-supporting; and for this he came to a town where he had some Christian friends. He thought he would see if he could stay with them; and, finding he could, he came and settled down there.
At first all went well. He appreciated being in a comfortable home after his varied experience, and seemed to enjoy the quiet. He heard God spoken of, and the Lord Jesus and His finished work; but he wanted none of it for himself; it was the world and, all its attractions that poor C. wanted. He began to speak about Christians he knew, and all the things they did which he thought they ought not to do.
How many do this! How often the writer hears words like these: "Well, I think I am quite as good as So-and-so"; "If I was a Christian I should do this and that." Indeed, some go as far as to seem to make a refuge of the evildoings of Christians. Reader, are you like one of these? If you are, you will find a day come when that refuge will be swept away, and you will find yourself before God, GUILTY.
C. was trying this. Thank God, he found out it was a false one before it was too late!
After a time, C. became ill again, and went to some relatives. He got worse, and, indeed, was almost at death's door. Still no thought of God! But he was raised up, and after a time came back and resumed his studies.
The winter was passing on when C. was suddenly struck down with another illness, and for several days he lost his reason. When he became conscious those with him saw a change. He was troubled about his soul; troubled because he was a sinner. He did not doubt there was a God, and he knew he had sinned against Him.
One day a paper was brought to him, but he said, "Take it away. I've got to meet God, and that won't show me how to do it.”
Another day a young man called and tried to interest him in a war memorial that it was proposed to erect. When he had gone he said, "I'm gone past war memorials; they will not help me now.”
At last he was spoken to of a Christian man whom he had met at his friends' house, aid asked if he would like' to see him.
“Tell him I'd be delighted to see him," he said.
The message was taken and one evening he came. Those who were present will never forget that scene. There, stretched upon the bed, death stamped on his features, lay the once handsome C. His bodily illness sad indeed, but, oh I the soul agony on those features. Grasping both his visitor's hands, he said, "Oh; Mr.—, you have come to help me along the road, haven't you?”
Then, crying aloud, almost in despair, “I want to get right with God; can you show me the way?”
What a scene! What a blessed scene! Reader, if you are unsaved, I would like to meet you just like this. When you are brought to see the emptiness of everything but Jesus, I could point you to the Risen Lord, and say, "Look! He's in heaven. He's been on the cross for sins once; He has suffered for them; He has died for them; but He's risen now, in Glory, without them. Look at Him!" Reader, we would soon rejoice together; and there would be joy in Heaven, too!
This is what happened in that room. The visitor took out his Bible and read these Scriptures: —
C. drank in every word with eagerness.
“Well," said his friend, "what are you going to say to this? Are you going to take the Salvation which God offers you because of the work of the Lord Jesus Christ?”
C. remained silent in thought; then, after some seconds, he raised himself, and at last, looking up, he exclaimed, " I thank Thee, God: oh! I thank Thee, God. Thou didst save my life three times to bring me to this. Oh! I thank Thee, God.”
Then turning to his friend, he grasped his hand, saying, "Oh! it's all right now. I see He has done it all; borne all my sins. Jesus bore them on the Cross.”
A look of intense joy came over his face, and his friend said, "Shall I pray?”
“Yes, do," said C.
“What shall I say?" said his friend.
“Oh! thank Him for dying for me.”
Together all in that little room knelt down and thanked God for His grace, His wonderful sovereign love, that had yearned over this poor wandering sheep and drawn him home.
At first it seemed as if the joy that filled C.'s whole being was going to help his poor body so much that he would be raised up. But it was not to be.
He had a great desire to serve the Lord down here and indeed did testify to the "grace that saves” to those who came to visit him. But after many weeks of suffering, during which he proved the truth of those words, “I will never leave Thee, nor forsake Thee," he was called home to be "forever with 'the Lord." He will be among that vast throng who one day will say up there, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”
What a blessed scene that will be! Yes, C. will be there. Thank God, the 'writer will be there.
Reader, will you? F. C. C.