Or,
How a Highland Soldier Was Led to the Lord Jesus Christ.
YOUNG officer in the year 1844 was quartered with his regiment in one of the West India islands. Yellow fever had overtaken them, and several of the soldiers had died. Fast following on the death of the men came the death of one of his brother officer's, who was also attacked by fever. In five short days he was no more seen—was buried!
The subject of this narrative was appointed to command the firing-party over the grave of his late comrade. A Presbyterian minister read the burial service, after which the regiment marched back to barracks. During the march the commanding officer fell to the rear and got into conversation with the minister, who after a little while suddenly turned towards him, saying, "Where do you think your soul would have been had you died instead of him?" The officer hesitated, and then answered, "I think I should have been in hell." "That is a very solemn answer, and God will remember it," replied the other, adding, "I trust you will remember it too.”
Five years passed away, and this same officer found himself with his regiment in another quarter of the globe, having passed through many vicissitudes, many dangers, in seasons of small-pox, ship-fever, and cholera, which had sobered his mind and often recalled his own words, "I think I should have been in hell.”
About this time he fell in with a brother officer of his father's, who, seeing him in mourning, received him into his quarters one evening and said to him, "In the next room there is going to be a Bible-reading for young officers; if you like to come in, you are welcome; if not, here are your candles and plenty of books, and you can amuse yourself here until we have finished." However, he preferred going in, and sat down amongst them. All this was very new to him, and he understood little of what passed, but had to own, "These men have something, a happiness I have not." This made a great impression on him.
One evening, as he sat thinking over his life he asked himself, "What is my life? It is eat, drink, die, and be lost!" Why not ask the same question, What is your life? and what will your end be? It is worth reflecting upon, surely. So soon our journey here will be over. Whither bound? Well, thank God, this officer did think it worth pondering, and so asked himself, "What is my life?" The conclusion arrived at was, “It is eat, drink, die, and be lost! “Now, on that evening he was thoroughly in earnest. But he was without a guide; he was sailing on Life's sea without a chart. He did not possess a single copy of God's Book—God's Word—the only words that can give light.
On the next morning following this memorable evening of downright earnest thought, he went and bought a Reference Bible and began to read the Gospel of Matthew, with the references, accompanied by prayer that God would open his eyes. He read with deep interest, being in real earnest about his soul, trying all the time to mend his ways so as to please God, and in this way to get to heaven. His soul was deeply exercised, at the same time discouraged about himself. His failures disheartened him—so soon the "new leaf" turned over was blotted by sin. He was about three weeks reading Matthew. When he had finished that gospel he turned to the Epistle to the Galatians. On coming to the third chapter he stopped at the tenth verse, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse, for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." After reading the verse he exclaimed, "THAT'S ME! I am keeping myself under the curse by trusting to the works I am doing.
He then prayed, "Lord, what shall I do? I am trying to do my best." Thus he continued on his knees. On rising, he took his Bible and read on to the thirteenth verse, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." Again he exclaimed, "That's me, too! I am redeemed from the curse of the law, Christ being made a curse—HE TOOK MY PLACE." The scales fell from his eyes. God had answered his prayer and opened his eyes. Opened his eyes on what? on whom? On Christ! on Christ on the Cross! His eyes were turned from himself to the Savior, and joyfully he cried, "He took my place.”
Can you say with him, "He took my place"? If not, why not? Your sins are your only title to the Savior, for Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners; and the precious Blood is our only title to the presence of God.
May God bless this true story to your soul, so that you too may be able to say, "He took my place." L.