A Young Officer’s Confidence.
THE following letter, from the pen of Second-Lieut. H. F. Sargood, Middlesex Regiment, tells its own tale. It was found in the young man’s kit, having been left there just before going into action: ―
My Own Dearest Parents, — I don’t suppose you will ever get this, and I certainly hope you won’t, as it is only to be sent to you if I am killed while on the “trench stunt.” (Here follow a few instructions about financial matters).
I expect you have wondered (or will do so) how I regarded the prospect of death, for of course the possibility of it is alway’ before one. As you know, I have always been expecting it, so it has not taken me by surprise. As for the rest, well I have never been able to express it to myself, so I don’t suppose I can do any better for you. Although I have not regarded the prospect of it with pleasure (I should imagine that in a young man that would be unnatural), yet I can say that it has caused me no fear. I have, of course, such feelings to “buck me up” as the thought of being an Englishman, a gentleman, the descendant of soldiers, and so on; but when it comes to the point, such things are of little or no value.
No, I have an assurance which is of far more use to me than any of these things, the knowledge that Jesus Christ is my Saviour, and that He will be with me after death, the same as He has been with me for the last three or four years. This has been of the greatest comfort to me and — under God — I owe it all to you, my dearest parents; and I could never, if I lived a thousand years, tell you what I would want to, or thank you for all that you have done for me, and especially, the best thing of all, in bringing me up in the know ledge of my Saviour. And if I am killed, remember that it is our Master’s will, and He Who is our Friend knows far better than we what is good for us; and after all, none of us would have wished it otherwise, would we? I know I wouldn’t, and though it means more for you than me yet I’m sure you wouldn’t.
And now, as I hope you will never get this, I’ll leave off. Good-bye, my dearest parents. Don’t sorrow; at the worst our parting is not for long, and “we sorrow not as those which have no hope.” — God be with you, comfort you, and keep you.
HUGH
The writer was called upon to make the Great’ Sacrifice. Aged nineteen, he was the son of Mr. W. Frank Sargood, of Sutton; and needless to say, the letter has proved a great source of consolation to both parents.
[From The Christian]