A Chaplain from the Front, preaching in Exeter lately, gave at’ the close of his address this incident about a soldier: ―
“A soldier on leave from France to see his mother said, on taking leave of her: I wish to die in the trenches, for there we can live a Christian life, but we cannot in Plymouth. All the men and women here care for nothing but folly — no God — no Bible.’”
These words are written on an envelope that contained a Testament, which a loving friend had asked us to send to a soldier in France.
The returned Testament has been sent to another soldier, but the envelope with its curt refusal remains with us. It saddens us, but it makes us pray for the one who refused the Word of God; This is the only case we have had of this kind. We thank God for that We trust this dear soldier will not refuse Christ. If he does, he must be refused by-and-bye. Let us all pray for him that the truth of God may win him yet.
A Christian tells us of a Royal Scot lying dead in a shell-hole with an open Testament in his hand. He had not refused God’s Word. He had been wounded, and had crept into the hole for safety, taken out his Testament; and died while reading it.
A lady, to whom I sent a large parcel, writes to me: — “One poor soldier with only one eye wistfully turned a Testament I had given him in his hand, and said, ‘How much?’ I said he could have it for nothing. He replied, ‘How sweet of you to give it to me!’ I told him that you had sent it. While waiting at a friend’s door for admittance, a soldier came out of the next house. I offered him a ‘Message from God.’ He said that he knew you, and went away, but, hastily returning, said, ‘and I know Dr. Wreford’s God.’ I said, ‘Praise the Lord!’ The soldiers are so pleased with everything you send, and I thank you in their names.” — E.M.