THE American-Spanish war was one most prolific of tragic events and noble deeds. As might have been judged from the combatants—a young nation, full of the youthful blood of a mixture of nations, entering on its first great aggressive war, and an old nation, hoary headed with military tradition, skilled in all the devices of cruel warfare, and with a colonial empire of 160,000 square miles containing close upon 10,000,000 people at stake.
One of the most tragic of all the events occurred during the battle of San Juan, preceding the now historic surrender of Santiago. In the charge of San Juan Hill, early in July, 1898, Lieutenant Ord, at the head of a handful of soldiers, was one of the first to reach the top of the hill. Just as he passed over the brow of San Juan, he observed a wounded Spanish soldier lying on the ground, and pointing to him, said, “Take care of that man,” meaning that no harm was to be done, and that medical aid was to be obtained as soon as possible. The Spaniard saw the motion of the officer’s hand, and evidently thinking it meant a command to his soldiers to shoot, he raised his rifle, fired, and brave and kind Lieutenant Ord dropped dead. He had shot his best friend!
“Horrible!” says someone. Stop a moment. Have you ever said “horrible” concerning the part you took in the slaying of “the best Friend” the world ever had. The Lord Jesus Christ left the Glory Throne and came into this world for the express purpose of saving sinners. His whole life was one long saying: “Take care of that man,” as He healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the leper, and cured all that were diseased. (Matt. 4:2424And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. (Matthew 4:24)). Yet at the end Judas betrayed Him, Pilate condemned Him, the Rabbis cried “Crucify Him!” the rabble cried “Away with Him!” the robbers taunted Him, the world cast Him out, “He was cut off out of the land of the living,” (Isa. 53:77He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)), and God justly holds each member of the human race guilty of His rejection till we ground our arms of rebellion and acknowledge Him as Lord and Saviour. (Acts 2:3636Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36).)
When the men following Lieutenant Ord saw how cruelly the. Spaniard had misjudged his action, they were wild with rage, literally riddled the body of the murderer with bullets, and rolled it into the trench. In wondrous contrast our God, instead of sending legions of angels to avenge the death of “His only begotten Son,” sent the disciples with a message of love, commissioning them to “begin at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:2727And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)), for “God commendeth His love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).)
O, mistake not the motion of your best Friend, the Christ who died on Calvary.
The Spaniard soldier had one golden opportunity of accepting the friendship of the American officer. He missed his moment and perished. Your moment will come—it may be now. Will you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Friend, Saviour and Lord now, or will you reject Him and meet Him as your Judge bye-and-bye. “He that believeth on the Son hath Everlasting Life; he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on Him” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)). Be wise for yourself. Receive Christ, and you will find Him the Friend of all Friends for Time and for Eternity.
ML 11/19/1916