The day came for Belgium when the weary slavery of four long years was over. The armies of the oppressor, driven back by their conquerors, sullenly retired. Our picture represents a scene that took place at Bruges on October 19th, 1918. The last German had left the town, and the rejoicing populace were flocking out, through the Porte Maréchal, to welcome the soldiers of the 21St Regiment of the Line in the Belgian Army, who were marching towards the liberated town. Men, women and children formed that happy crowd, their glad jubilation mingling with the music of the regimental band and the shouts of the soldiers. An affecting incident was told me. The Belfry of Bruges is celebrated for its chimes, and as the soldiers came towards the town, they heard from afar the chiming of the belfry bells. When they heard the wild and tangled music, their emotion was so great that many wept. For four years that music had been stilled for them in their banishment, and now it sounded out their welcome home.
It is so with the sinner liberated from the slavery of Satan by the power of God’s salvation. What a welcome our hearts give to our Saviour when the glory of His emancipating love is known to us, and we hear Him say, “Fear not, I have redeemed thee, thou art Mine.” And what a welcome will be ours by and bye, when we see those heavenly shores, and are welcomed to eternal rest by angels and saints redeemed, and best of all by the Lord Himself; while the bells of everlasting joy shall ring out our welcome, hymning the Saviour’s joy in us with every blessed note: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.”
We trust workers for God on land and sea will send to us for parcels. We have sent 10,500 to various centers, and will gladly send to any Chaplain, worker, or soldier or sailor, who wants to distribute the Word of God to English, French, Italian, or Belgian soldiers or sailors, or to civilians.
Any soldier, or sailor, or anxious soul who wants a Testament to fit their pocket, can have one by writing to Dr. Heyman Wreford, The Firs, Denmark Road, Exeter.
If any soldier, or sailor, or civilian would like us to write to their wives or friends, or send them Testaments and books, we will gladly do so. We want to be a real help to souls in these terrible days.