Very few really brave men would not be willing to admit that they have known what it is to be desperately afraid. Many incidents occurring during the American Civil War and related afterward have manifested the fact that even the stoutest heart must often rely on a power outside himself in times of danger. It is indeed blessed when that heart is in God's keeping and its refuge is under His wings.
A few years after this bloody conflict ended, a former Federal officer was on board an ocean liner. On a Sunday afternoon he was feeling especially alone and burdened, and he longed with all his soul for a sense of peace and rest. Although he had realized his ambitions and had gained high position in the world, he was still a stranger to Him who "satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
As he restlessly paced the deck, he heard voices singing. He went below and found a man seated at a piano with a few of the passengers gathered around him. This man's voice, hauntingly sweet, soared heavenward as they sang:
"Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high!
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
Till the storm of life is past,
Safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.”
Ah, those lovely words! But the voice—that man's grand voice—where had he heard it before?
"Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee!
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me!
All my trust on Thee is stayed,
All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of Thy wing.”
The last two lines brought back the memory. Waiting till the hymn was finished, the listener approached the singer. "Pardon me, sir; but were you on sentry duty during the war?" He mentioned a time and place.
"Yes," was the answer.
Then the questioner stated that he too had been there, but on the other side. On the night mentioned he had led a detail of men on a scouting expedition. In the darkness he and his men had come suddenly near a sentry, and had even seen his figure outlined against the sky.
"We watched you," he said, "and just as we were about to fire, we heard singing. You sang the first verse of 'Jesus, Lover of my soul.' The order to 'fire' was withheld while we listened. Then came clear and sweet on the air the second verse; but when you came to 'Cover my defenseless head,' I could stand it no longer. 'Guns down, boys,' I ordered. 'Back to camp!' Do you remember that night?”
"Yes." And now it was the turn of the astonished singer to relate his side of the story: "On that evening I experienced a sudden dread of the darkness, and horror overwhelmed me at the thought of what might overtake me. I felt utterly helpless. But I remembered the One who had died for me. He had borne all my sins on Calvary's tree, and His own lips had promised to go with me 'all the way.' Why should I be afraid? I cried in spirit to God, and I prayed in the words of the hymn you heard. I had no thought that anyone heard me but God. But after I had sung that hymn I shall never forget the blessed assurance I had that I was safe under the shadow of His wings.”
What a testimony to the keeping power of the Almighty! During the rest of the voyage the two men were much together. The Christian singer soon sensed the unhappy state of his companion and seized every opportunity to bring Christ before him. Ere they disembarked God graciously rewarded his efforts, and the weary heart found peace and rest in the Savior's love.
"Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound,
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art:
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.”