1914―1918.
THIS is a most touching part of Dr. Wreford’s lifework for God. We can only give you a glimpse into that work here—but we know that the record of it all is kept in heaven, and we shall see it by and by.
Dr. Wreford, with his whole heart filled with love to God, and for the precious souls for whom Christ died, longed, with the intensity of his being, for the souls of the soldiers and sailors facing death. He, therefore, commenced a work at the beginning of the War, with the object of giving a New Testament (pocket size), to every soldier and sailor, that they might be brought to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Besides sending parcels of Testaments and booklets for distribution among the soldiers and sailors, at home and abroad, Dr. Wreford commenced what proved to be a most successful branch of our war work, and that was the sending out of postcards to workers, for distribution among the men, which enabled any soldier or sailor to apply for a New Testament, and receive it for himself. This work was greatly blessed. Thousands and thousands of these cards were printed and circulated, and Dr. Wreford often received back as many as 500 of these cards in one day―and a Testament was sent to every man who asked for one. Men of all ranks sent to him―and all received the Word of God. Below is a facsimile of the post-card that was sent out. At the back of the card was Dr. Wreford’s name and address.
I remember once our postman calling for three large bales to take to the Post Office. He said to Dr. Wreford, who was standing in the doorway, “You are sending some large parcels to the soldiers!” Dr. Wreford replied, “There are fifty thousand post-cards there to be sent away.” He looked astonished, and then said, “Are they all coming back?” Dr. Wreford answered, “I hope so―and I pray they may.
Dr. Wreford always kept the post-cards that came back to him from the dear men who were fighting on land and sea—and we have them still. Many a time I have seen his eyes fill with tears at the recollection of those days, and the work God enabled him to do. And often he has remarked to me, when speaking together about the work, past and present, “We shall know all by and by.”
We have records of hundreds and hundreds of cases of blessing through this work. We reprint just one instance, deeply regretting that limited space krill not allow us to tell you more.