A SOLDIER of foreign origin who enrolled in the Prussian army, had become very tired of his calling, and had asked many times for his dismissal, without success. Each time he returned from drill, his anger vented itself in coarse language and abuse against the citizen with whom he was placed to board. At one time he was sent to make his home-quarters at the home of a pious widow.
One day, as he was entering the house, swearing as usual, his eye caught sight of an open Bible on the table. He glanced over it and read these words of the Lord Jesus: “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matt. 21:2222And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:22).
These words struck him: “What is this book”? said he.
“The word of God,” answered his hostess.
“The word of God! Then what it says must be true!”
“Most certainly.”
“Well,” said he, “all that is promised in it must come to pass, not excepting what I have just read.”
“Surely,” replied the widow, “all that we ask in the name of the Lord Jesus we shall obtain, if we believe.”
“For a long time I have wanted to be freed from the army. If the Bible is true, I have then but to pray to God to obtain my dismissal.”
“The word of God teaches us to ask for the things of this life with certain conditions. None but spiritual blessings dare we ask unconditionally.”
“What you say is not the words I have just read. It says, All that we ask shall be given to us.”
“So it does, and the word of God cannot lie.”
The soldier pondered over this, day and night. Finally, thought he, “I shall try; I can lose nothing, and who knows but perhaps I shall get what I want?”
He went to his room, knelt down, intending to pray. But hardly had he begun, than his many sins came before him, and frightened him. “How,” said he, “can the Holy God answer the prayers of a sinner like me?” The realization of his lost condition came upon him, and made him forget all about his great wish.
He cried and groaned, imploring aloud for mercy and pardon from God. The Lord heard him, and through faith in Jesus Christ, his sins were forgiven him. He became a new creature; formerly a drunkard, a blasphemer, brutal and disorderly, he now became quiet, a model of obedience and good behaviour.
The change in him could but attract general attention. His associates asked him the reason for it. He confessed the Lord, witnessing to His great mercy in saving his soul. His words awakened many hearts and they became uneasy about their souls salvation, and the work of the gospel gained ground from day to day in that regiment.
Most of the officers saw with displeasure the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of their subordinates. They looked upon their piety as a weakness unworthy of their military calling, and were indignant to be able to count in their files so many religious cranks, as they called them.
They reported it to their colonel, naming the guilty author of all this change, who was brought in and made to undergo a severe cross examination. But he, far from becoming intimidated, took this opportunity to confess Jesus Christ, his Lord and Saviour.
He added that he had not enticed his comrades, but had simply told them what the Lord had done for him, and sought to show them the path of life.
He was asked why he did not seem to care anymore to obtain his dismissal from the army.
“As long as I was unconverted,” answered our friend, “I wanted to choose my own way, but since I have become the Lord’s His blessed will is mine. I trust Him and He will lead me as a father leads his child.”
As punishment for his piety, he thus was dismissed from the army. He learned that the word of God is true and that all His promises are Yea and Amen, and that He does all things in His own good time.
ML 01/03/1909