It was in the days of the first Napoleon. The French army was retreating from Moscow and terrible hardships were endured. In the bitter cold, through blinding snow the men dragged their weary feet, their ranks getting thinner every day.
As column after column of troops retreated ever westward, the cry of a little child was heard. He had been dropped by his mother from one of the wagons that had passed on ahead. Several of the soldiers rushed back and rescued little Pierre from death. Opening his great coat, one of the men reverently and gently laid the little one close to his heart, thus shielding him from the icy blasts. Another soldier, and another, would take his turn in bearing safely onward that weak child whom they had rescued from a snowy grave.
As the days passed, the situation became more desperate, the hardships increased, while the guns and attacks of the enemy troops took their terrible toll. Rivers had to be crossed, and battles fought to clear the way for the survivors of that ill-fated expedition.
Amid all the dangers and sorrows of the homeward march, there was one who was safe and well cared for. Sometimes carried by one soldier, and again by another, it so came about that little Pierre reached Paris safe and sound. The soldiers had saved him from death and they were not going to leave their work half done. They finished the work they had begun by shielding and watching the rescued one till they arrived safe in the capital at last.
This world is a cold dreary waste "the valley of the shadow of death” filled with hardships and sorrows along the way. But the care which these kindly soldiers bestowed upon motherless little Pierre shall be as nothing compared to the infinite tenderness with which God, the Almighty Redeemer, shall lead you on to that city of eternal rest, dear reader. Only trust Christ now as your Saviour, and you will be saved from death, kept by the power of God, and safely landed in that heavenly land.
ML-04/03/1977