O, what cause I have to thank and bless and praise the Lord that I am well, although I have been eight times under the enemy’s heavy fire, coming out of it each time without being harmed. One realizes in such moments that our God and Father does answer the fervent prayers of His own. I will not tell you of the great agony and Misery which surround me, as enough of such news will reach you from other sources, only I would implore the brethren to continue in prayer, to remember especially all God’s children in the war, and to intercede much for those who do not yet know the Lord. How many have fallen in this war without hope and without God!
From a Naval Officer
The distribution of tracts among the soldiers is carried on daily from 8 a. m. till midnight. Forty to fifty thousand tracts and Bibles are given away monthly, for which work about a hundred dollars is given monthly. The Lord has encouraged and given much joy to the brethren who are interested in this work; only eternity will declare what has been done here, and in many other places, and in the garrisons since the mobilization. As an encouraging example of how the Lord has blessed this work we give a copy of a letter just received from the field:
January 6, 1915.
Although the son of Christian parents, I had never cared very earnestly about my soul, though often warned about it. Through the mobilization I awoke from my carelessness and realized that God was solemnly speaking to me. I felt that each day might be the last, and that I should be lost if I should die in the war. Full of anxiety and unrest, I decided anew to pray to God for forgiveness of my sins, but I received no assurance. This went on till the sixth day of mobilization, on which I had to enlist with a burden which almost crushed me. I went early to the headquarters where all were gathered. As we were getting started, a gentleman was distributing tracts. Eagerly I reached out for one of the leaflets, as if sure that I would find in it that which I was seeking. The words of the title, “I will be there,” fell like soothing ointment on my heart.
I knew those words came from the Lord, and I knew He would not forget me in the war. I could not read the little tract till we were on the train. With interest I read the narrative in which a lady on a sea voyage sought to make known to a little child why the Lord Jesus died for us. Through this was made known to me that the Lord Jesus died for me, too. I realized the blessedness for which I had sought so long in vain. Now I could believe, and with a happy heart T, too, could say, “I will be there.” Although much tried by Satan, through the help of the Lord, I was enabled to withstand his wiles, and to follow Him who gave His precious blood for me.
Concentration Camp and Hospital
Two of our believing sisters are nurses in this hospital, and so have access to the Concentration Camp, and find it a precious work for the Lord to give away to those poor prisoners the Word of God. One of these has written us several encouraging letters from which we send extracts:
1. “We have at present forty wounded, but expect shortly 100 to 150. The wounded and also the well rejoice much when we bring them something to read. Here in the camp is a Testament, and it is passed from one to the other, so much do they like it. If possible send us more. Even the doctors. ask for Testaments for the sick.”
2. “Thank you very much for the thirty Testaments and 100 Gospels and 200 tracts. It is a great joy to me to distribute them among the sick ones and also the nurses. O, how these sick ones rejoice when we give them something to read! One has read the Gospel of John twenty-one times. How he will rejoice when he receives a whole Testament. Each one would like to have one for himself. The nurses also read the Testament every leisure moment they have, and often I see the tears roll down their cheeks as they read. May the gracious Lord give light to many a poor soul, so that this captivity may be the means of leading them to real freedom. How often do I wish that all men would love the Word of God as do those poor prisoners. “In the isolated barracks that I am not allowed to enter, a doctor distributes with pleasure pamphlets and Testaments. “We have now 170 wounded and 120 sick in the isolated barracks.”
3. “I received with thankfulness the package of 70 Testaments, 100 Gospels and 200 pamphlets. O, how our sick ones rejoice over the Testaments. How thankful I am that through your help I can be useful to these sick ones, not only for their bodies, but also for their souls. We have met two children of God among the prisoners. It was a great joy. We have now 1,000 men, but a great transport is expected soon.”
The above sisters have distributed 350 Testaments, 1,200 tracts, 1,000 Gospels.