AT the time of the Crimean War, when the French soldiers were embarking for the seat of war, a Bible colporteur sought and obtained permission to converse with the men of one of the principal regiments then preparing to depart. While surrounded in the court of the barracks by a number of them, and speaking of the value of the Holy Scriptures, the colporteur was addressed by a young soldier of frank and intelligent countenance.
“They have convinced me,” said the young man, in a gentle tone, “of the necessity of getting the Word of God, but alas!” continued he, with a deep sigh, “I have not the money wherewith to make this precious purchase.”
“That need not signify,” the colporteur quickly replied; “if you have so great a desire to possess a copy, it shall not be said that a Christian allowed you to go away to a foreign shore without giving you one, even should it be at my own expense.” Then drawing a New Testament out of his pack, he handed it to the soldier.
But what was his surprise and grief, when the young man broke into a loud laugh, saying: “You are done, my fine fellow. I am jester Number One of the regiment; ask my comrades. It is as clear as the sun that shines that I have made a fool of you. When I am dead, do you see―” and he was proceeding with a torrent of profane language, when the colporteur stopped him by saying, “After death the judgment will follow; and what a judgment!”
For a moment the young soldier ceased to laugh, but his levity quickly returned.
“Give me back the book,” said the colporteur.
“Nay, my old fellow,” replied the mocker, “I should be ashamed to affront you before so respectable a company as this. What will my comrades think of you were they to see you taking back with your left hand the present which your right hand has just offered? Your book will be of use to me. It will do to light my pipe with.” Then making a military salute in a grotesque manner, he walked away.
“Lord, forgive him,” cried the colporteur; “he knows not what he does.”
Fifteen months passed away, when the colporteur, in the course of his travels, came to a village, three hundred miles away from the spot where the young soldier had taken the New Testament from him. He entered the kitchen of an inn, where he found the people of the house seated, in deep grief. He made inquiry as to the cause of their sorrow, when the landlady, with many tears, said, “Only a few hours ago, and my son, the joy of my life, was placed in the silent grave; and what a son!”
The colporteur listened to the sad story of her soldier-son-of his departure to the war, and his return to die in his mother’s arms. He felt a tender interest in the recital; and, to abate her grief, he said, “Let me read to you a few lines out of a good book; they are suited to the hour of sorrow.” He then turned to several passages which spoke of God’s chastening us for our profit, when the woman uttered a loud cry and started up; but the colporteur proceeded to read a text which set forth Christ as the great High Priest at the right hand of God, through whom we might boldly come to the throne of grace, obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
On hearing these words the woman caught the book out of his hand. “You wicked man,” she cried, “you have taken the most precious thing I have still belonging to him.” Then dropping the book, as she glanced at it, she added, “No, this is not my precious volume; mine is torn, but this is perfect.”
The woman quickly left the room, and returned, bringing with her a New Testament of the same size as the one she dropped on the floor. The colporteur opened it, when to his astonishment he saw written in French, in the inside fly-leaf, these words: ―
“Received at―, ― day of― Despised at first, and badly used, but afterward read, believed, and made the instrument of my salvation.
“I― L―
“Fourth company of―Regiment of the Line.”
In an instant light broke upon the mind of the colporteur. Was it indeed the very Testament that had been taken by the young mocker? Yes, it was the same. A closer inspection showed several leaves to be missing, and it was concluded that they had been taken to light the soldier’s pipe, in accordance with his words. But this work had been wonderfully stopped.
The colporteur made further inquiries, and learned from the bereaved mother some most pleasing intelligence. Her son had told her, that the evening before a battle, serious thoughts of the words of the man whom he had mocked and defrauded of the book came suddenly before his mind. He remembered his warnings and was troubled. God was speaking to his soul. To pacify his mind he took from his knapsack the sacred volume which had become his accuser. As he turned over the leaves, what was his astonishment, when, instead of a number of threatening’s, his eye fell on these precious truths “GOD SENT NOT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED” (John 3:1717For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17)). “COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST” (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)).
As he pondered the latter passage, the sound of the drum called him to fall into the ranks. In a short time he was engaged in a hand-to-hand encounter. It was a deadly struggle, and many were the dead and dying that lay stretched on the ground. Our young soldier was among the wounded, and, found by his comrades, was carried to the hospital in the rear. For several weeks he lay on the borders of the grave. With him it was a time of serious thought and prayer. His New Testament was not forgotten; it was his constant companion, and after some little time, was used of God to bring conviction and light to his mind.
After lying for some time in a hospital in a foreign land, he came home to his parents’ house to die.
The torn Testament was constantly in his hands. Through the teaching of the Holy Spirit he saw increasingly his need of a Saviour and the fullness of Christ to meet that need, until he was able to rejoice in Him as his salvation and all his desire. In the full enjoyment of the knowledge of the forgiveness of all his sins, and peace resulting therefrom, he was earnest in entreating all who visited him to be reconciled to God; and, after a brief time of testimony to the grace of God to him, he passed away, to be at home with the Lord.
“Is NOT THIS A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE?”
ANON.