In the month of March of this year I received the following letter from Private S. F.: —
“My Dear Sir, — Seeing one of your New Testaments as sent out to one of our men, it made me think, and my thoughts and reflections were none too pleasant. I should be pleased to accept one of your Testaments and should also be pleased to have a line or two from any Christian who really cares for the eternal welfare of even one of our poor soldiers, as things are none too conducive for either meditation or supplication. I was once a much better man than I am now, and seem to have lost all my ground out here. I just seem to be falling, failing into a cesspool—bottomless—and no one ever, speaks His name unless in blasphemy. When I saw a note from you that you would be glad to help any man, spiritually, I decided I would just send you a few lines; if too long kindly pardon my trespassing on your patience and time. I must now close with my sincerest, and remain Pte. S. F―.
This letter moved me very much indeed, and as I was very ill at the time it came, I sent it to my good friend, Miss A. A. L―., and asked her to write to him for me. We sent him a Testament.
Two or three months after I received a letter from Miss A. A. L―., in which she says: —
“Dear Dr. Wreford, — Do you remember this soldier (speaking of Pte. S. F.―) wrote to you in March that he was on the downward road? You will be thankful, as I am, to know all is well with him, and he is now on the road to heaven.”
And this is the letter he wrote to my friend—a letter in which he speaks of his confession of Christ: ―
“My Dear Miss. I―I have very great pleasure in writing to you again. I received three tracts, or rather booklets alright, and thank you for same. Last night, August 8th to be precise—as I am writing this letter for tomorrow’s mail—I was determined to put off no longer my soul’s eternal welfare, and before retiring for the night, I knelt down before my comrades and prayed aloud asking the Lord’s forgiveness of my sins, of which I heartily repented; and I felt relieved of the awful mind struggle I had had for months, and I am determined by His grace to continue in the path, which alone leads to the New Jerusalem—Heaven at last.
“I do feel so sorry I turned my back, as it were, on the Saviour, but I knew His Holy Spirit was continually striving with me, and now I feel to have taken a fresh lease of life which I trust will be profitable to myself and useful to others around me. As soon as I stood up again from praying, the, men were so quiet, it seemed so strange to them, I suppose, to see and hear another soldier praying, I beard at least one Amen as soon as I finished my prayer, and then what do you think I did? I asked them if they, would like to hear a true story of a Christian soldier. ‘Yes’ was their reply, so I read the story of ‘Lifted’s’ (Lance-Corporal Dennis Woodward’s) life, and his heroic death, and I tell you there was a dim eye or two. Of course I had to give some explanation of my unusual attitude, which I did in as few words as possible. I asked them if I should sing to them— ‘Yes,’ again they said, so I sang as best I could, ‘From Sinking Sands He Lifted Me.’ I knew the tune and I believe some impression was made upon them. I would be glad to distribute booklets or tracts if you can spare me some, and I feel I would like to help some of our men spiritually. I have asked the Lord to use me to His honor and glory, and to help some soul into the marvelous light and liberty of the gospel. I don’t feel I can write much more. I have had a struggle to write what I have so far, so I will conclude, trusting an interest in your earnest prayers. I feel so timid; but I know the Lord will open up the way. — I beg to remain yours most respectfully. — S. F—.”