Stretcher bearers picked up a soldier on the battlefield though they were uncertain as to whether he was alive or dead. They placed him on an ambulance, and started on their way. They looked at him more than once, but saw no signs of life, however. They went on slowly with their burden, followed by others. A bearer behind began to sing a song, and when he had finished, the bearer in front began to sing—
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee,
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure.
Save me from its guilt and power.
He heard someone join in, and he asked the bearer behind if he had been singing also, but he replied that he had not. He began to sing again—
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone,
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
He again heard someone join in, and to ‘their surprise it was the soldier they were carrying.
When they got to the first rest-place they were met by medical men, who passed on first the cases they considered hopeful, so the bearer that sang asked the doctor to send their soldier on, as he was sure that the man who was awakened by, and joined in singing “Rock of Ages” was, one who was going to live.
He was right, and that soldier fully recovered from his wounds, and was sent again to the front.
The song, though it was cheerful, and no harm in it, awoke no response, but the good old hymn, founded upon the Word of God, and known from early childhood, spoke to the heart of our wounded soldier, and inspired hope, and led to his being healed of his wounds.
W. J. M.