His Last Hymn on a Stretcher

Miss F. E. Elliot, who has been working under the auspices of the Soldiers’ Christian Association in France, spoke of her experiences. The S.C.A. had no attraction but the Gospel; nevertheless the huts are filled from 10 a.m. to late at night. Christian risen testified to God’s keeping power away from home. Others who had merely strolled into the hut had met God there. Miss Elliot proceeded to tell a beautiful story. A young soldier of nineteen, son of earnest Christian parents, had been out nearly two years. He witnessed in his company to the saving and keeping power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some of his comrades―men accustomed to drink and swear―did not like this Christian boy, who was so faithful to what he believed and knew, and they’ gave him a bad time. Then came the day when the lad and a Christian Corporal went together into the firing-line. In two or three days the boy was wounded. The Corporal told her that tears rolled down the men’s cheeks when they saw the boy was hurt. In the midst of the firing they placed him on a stretcher to take him to the field dressing-station at the end of the trench. As soon as he was on the stretcher they were astonished to hear him sing. In a beautiful voice, in spite of wounds,, he sang “Jesu, Lover of my soul.” His voice was then like the voice of an angel. When they arrived the boy was in glory. The last words he sang were: “Safe into the haven guide, Oh, receive my soul at last.” The Corporal got the mother’s address, but two days afterward the Corporal was wounded, and he lost all his kit, including the address, so the poor mother has not heard how her boy died, and that his death had been the means of blessing to several of the men standing by.