The Father's Quest

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 5
 
After the battle of Chambersburg, Pa., during the Civil War, the report of the battle's heavy losses came to hand. A Quaker named John Hartman went immediately to headquarters and asked, "Has my son, John Hartman, answered to his name?”
"No," was the reply, "he must still be on the field among the wounded.”
The old man went with a lantern over the stricken field, looking into face after face to try to find his son. Suddenly the wind blew out the light in the lantern, and he could see no more. But undaunted, he cried out: "John Hartman, it is thy father! It is thy father!”
One wounded soldier moaned aloud, "Oh, my God, that it were my father!”
Still the old man pursued his sorrowful task, shouting: "John Hartman, it is thy father seeks thee.”
At last there came a faint response: "Here, Father, here.”
His son, sorely wounded, lay on the ground. The father stooped over him, lifted him, and carried him to a hospital. And for many years after that John Hartman lived to tell the story of his rescue.
Even so the Good Shepherd is seeking for the lost, wounded ones on the battlefield of life.
"And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:5, 6, 75And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:5‑7).
"FLEE FROM THE WRATH
TO COME.”
"The name of the Lord is a
runneth into it, and is safe."
strong tower: the righteous