“CHAPLAIN, one of our boys is badly wounded, and wants to see you right away.” Following the soldier, I was taken to the hospital, and lead to a bed, where lay a young man, pale and blood-stained from a terrible wound above the temple. I saw at a glance that he had but a few hours to live.
Taking his hand, I said, “Well, my brother, what can I do for you?” He looked up in my face, and placing his finger where his hair was stained with blood, he said: “Chaplain, cut a big lock from here for mother—for mother, mind, Chaplain.”
I hesitated to do it. “Don’t be afraid, Chaplain, to disfigure my hair. It’s for mother, and nobody will come to see me in the dead-house tomorrow.” I did as he requested me. “Now, Chaplain,” said the dying man, “I want you to kneel down by me and return thanks to God.” “For what?” I asked. “For giving me such a mother. O! Chaplain, she is a good mother; her teachings comfort and console me now. And, Chaplain, thank God that by His grace I am a Christian. O, what would I do now if I was not a Christian! I know that my Redeemer liveth. I feel that His finished work has saved me. And, Chaplain, thank God for giving me dying grace. He has made my bed feel ‘Soft as downy pillows are.’ Thank Him for the promised home in glory. I’ll soon be there—there, where there is no more war, nor sorrow, nor desolation, nor death—where I’ll see Jesus and be forever with the Lord.” I knelt by him, and thanked God for the blessings He had bestowed upon him—a good mother, a Christian hope, and dying grace to bear testimony to God’s faithfulness. Shortly after the prayer, he said, “Good-by, Chaplain; If you see mother, tell her it as all well.”
Children, you have heard the gospel. Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. Are you a true believer in Christ? Is your mother saved? And your father saved? And you yet unsaved? How long is this to continue? Will you go to the Lord Jesus and thank Him that He is your Saviour. “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Mothers be encouraged to go on teaching your children. Look at this, young soldier. Do not say, “I have nothing I can do for Christ.” How important is your work, raising these boys and girls in the fear of the Lord. You are weak and have no wisdom. Yes, but the Lord gives us all we need to go on to serve Him. And the hum-drum of life is brightened by going to Him for grace to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Col. 3:17. If the Lord was on earth standing by your side, would you say to Him, “No, I cannot do it?” Would you not rather say, “Yes, Lord, by Thy grace, I will.” You will have the glorious answer in the day of rewards.
Drawn by such cords well onward move,
Till round the throne we meet,
And, captives in the chains of love,
Embrace our Saviour’s feet.
ML 04/21/1918