"Love Never Faileth"

My friend C. H. T. asks that he may be remembered in prayer by the readers of “The Message,” that the desire of his heart may be granted—when free from the Army—to work for the Lord among the teeming millions living today in spiritual darkness in India.
I have had the pleasure of long letters from this soldier, and to send him Testaments and “Messages” for distribution through dear Dr. Wreford.
At my request he has written to me of his conversion. Space will not permit all details of his early life.
My friend enlisted as a drummer boy in 1911. In the following year, after a meeting, God greatly troubled his heart, but a short time after he went right back to his old ways, even reveling in wrongdoing, drinking, gambling, and swearing, to the great sorrow of his parents and aged grandmother, sinking lower and lower. It is no wonder at this time he was “most unhappy,” and each time he went home was entreated to turn and seek the Lord.
But God’s wonderful love was seeking the prodigal, and the moment was near when he came to himself.” Going home on a month’s leave, he was determined to resist the entreaties of those who loved him to hear the Gospel, preferring to spend Sunday evening with a companion-then like-minded—but Jack’s illness induced him to accompany his friends—yielding to their pleading to at least go with them once before his return, and he writes:” Never to my dying day shall I forget that Sunday night. The first hymn was Alas, and did my Saviour bleed? ‘and then the prayer, in which the brother mentioned’ our soldier friend.’ Oh, how uncomfortable I felt! The next hymn was ‘All ye that pass by.’ Then the Scripture was read—John 3. Oh, how bad I felt when the sixteenth verse was read and commented upon! Another hymn was sung― ‘Oh happy day that fixed my choice,’ but I could not sing it, and even tried to go out, but I didn’t.... That night I surrendered my all to Him.”
The next Sunday evening Jack, his companion, gave his heart to the Lord. Returning to their regiment, they were now called to face rough and terrible scenes.
My friend was seriously wounded in February, 1916, and invalided home, but was through all blessed, sustained, and used amongst his comrades.
Returning to France, one evening there was a never-to-be-forgotten time out of the trenches. After a Bible reading, Romans 5, one of the boys that night woke him up, saying there were two more outside as well. To his joy, he found all were anxious to serve the Lord. What a time they had! Jack was there, and a N.C.O., and all were broken down at the Lord’s great love for them and the wonderful realization of His presence.
My friend writes of his sorrow—on January 10th, 1917, his beloved friend Jack died in his arms, and on the 19th his dear girlfriend passed away, “to be forever with the Lord”―and he writes: With joy I look forward to meet those two.” Again wounded on March 5th and sent home. The Lord blessed abundantly.
Returning again to France for the third time―October 7th 1917―he was taken prisoner on the 11Th, sent to a terrible place — a few miles from Ruhleben―there treated shamefully, escaping with three others on his third dash for liberty, and landed safely on Armistice Day.
The punishment was great for attempting to escape. He writes: “We were lashed, in cells, fourteen days; the second time, fifty-six days, and fed on rye bread and water; also branded in two places with hot irons—very painful.”
What joy to be free, and to remember all the Lord’s goodness, the strength given by the One who never leaves or forsakes His own.
On leave, my friend quickly gathered health and strength, the Lord still using him to point souls to the Saviour of sinners.
Cheering long letters have come from India, where my friend is now stationed, and in one recently received he writes: “My heart glows with gratitude and praise to the Lord for all His great love to me... We are having some lovely times of refreshing, as we gather from time to time around the word. How sweet it is to my soul... Out Sunday school is still going on... the little ones are so eager to learn all about their Jesus, and yours and mine.”
The last letter was written from the hospital, but he finds a sick bed is indeed a blessing in disguise, and writes: “I am all the better spiritually for being laid aside.”
Please pray for my friend. We are sure all will be made plain if God has called him to be a missionary. His word is sure: “Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” (Psa. 37:55Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:5).) — A. A. L.