The late Dwight L. Moody found much joy and satisfaction in ministering to the spiritual needs of soldiers during the American Civil War. His efforts were owned of God in the salvation of many sufferers.
One simple incident occurred following the battle of Shiloh, where Mr. Moody was stationed in the field hospital.
For two nights the servant of God had been unable to get any rest and, being really worn out, on the third night he had lain down to sleep. About midnight he was called to see a wounded soldier who was very low. At first he tried to put the messenger off, but was told the need was urgent. If he waited till morning, it might be too late.
The weary Christian went to the ward to which he had been directed, and found the dying man, whose face was unforgettable as seen that night in the dim, uncertain candle light. Desperation was in his eyes. Mr. Moody asked him what he could do for him; and the reply was, "I want someone to help me die.”
In tender pity Mr. Moody told him he would bear him in his arms into the kingdom of God if he could, but he could only show him the way. Then he tried to preach the gospel.
The wounded man only shook his head, saying, "He can't save me like that! I have sinned all my life.”
With thoughts of his loved ones in the North, and that perhaps even then his mother might be praying for her boy, the Christian repeated promise after promise, and prayed with the dying man; but nothing he said seemed to help him. Then he began to read to him the account of an interview which the Lord Jesus had one night while here on earth with a man who also was anxious about his eternal welfare. It is in John's Gospel, chapter 3, the story of how Nicodemus came to the Master.
As Mr. Moody read on, the listener's eyes became riveted upon him and he seemed to drink in every syllable. Then came the words, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Eagerly raising himself on one elbow, the soldier questioned: "Is that there?”
"Yes," was the answer.
"Well," he said, "I never knew that was in the Bible. Read it again.”
Leaning on his elbow on the side of the cot, he brought his hands together in a firm grasp, and when the verse was finished, he exclaimed: "That's good. Won't you read it again?”
Slowly the passage was repeated the third time. When it was finished, his eyes were closed, and the troubled expression on his face had given way to a peaceful smile. His lips moved, and as the preacher bent over him to catch what he was saying, he heard in a faint whisper: "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Then he opened his eyes, and said: "That's enough; don't read any more.”
Early next morning Mr. Moody again came to the wounded soldier's cot, but it was empty. The attendant in charge said that the young man had died peacefully, resting quietly and repeating to himself, over and over, that glorious proclamation: "Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Reader, how is it with you? Have these words of the Lord Jesus come home to you in like power, as is here seen in this touching incident of a dying soldier? Do not wait till you are near death. Believe in Him now, and eternal life is yours. Resting on Christ's atoning death, you will henceforth, by the power of the Holy Ghost given you, be enabled to live for Him in this world till called above.