"Don't send him down to the Base, he won't last to the journey's end." That was the word of the doctor to the nurse in charge of the field dressing station. "Put him to bed, and make him as comfortable as you can," was the nurse's instruction, in turn, to the orderly.
This occurred during the First World War, while the train was in preparation for the evacuation of the wounded to the hospital at the Base.
The orderly could not but notice the youthful appearance of the casualty, and was shocked at the words he had overheard: "He won't last to the journey's end." What should he say to a man who was really dying? This question occupied his mind. The orderly was not a Christian, but his father and mother were; and now he wished that he knew what his father would say to such a man in this soldier's case.
Again and again he asked the young man-now so weak and helpless—if he could get him a glass of water, a cup of tea, or anything. Always he got a quiet "No, thank you" in response.
At last the orderly thought of another question he must ask: "If you died—tonight—would—it be—all right?”
The answer was a wonderful one. "Yes—I—know—WHOM—I—have—believed." The injured boy said no more; he had breathed his last.
This witness of the dying boy gripped the heart of the questioner. But where could he find a Christian who could explain this answer to him? It was sometime before he found such an one in a Soldier's home. There an old believer in the Savior told him that the dying young man was, like the Apostle Paul who first said those words, settled in his belief in Christ, his Savior and Redeemer.
If the dear dying lad had had the strength, he would have finished his testimony by saying, "and am persuaded that He [the Savior and Lord] is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him.”
How good to know that the confession of this youthful soldier in his dying moments was so clear and firm in his trust! His happy confidence was used by the Holy Spirit to the conversion of the orderly; and now he too could say, "I know whom I have believed.”
Yes, Jesus Christ was now his Savior and Redeemer because he had received in his heart the message the youthful soldier gave in his dying moments. Can you say as you read this: I know whom I have believed"? If not, why not?