ONE day last week a dear brother gave up three hours of his time to pack twenty large parcels to be sent to the soldiers and the sailors. They were posted next day.
The week before, we sent three boxes for the Front and for the Fleet. We have many more opportunities now than we have ever had of reaching godly men who will distribute Gospels, Testaments and books. In Exeter thousands are distributed to the soldiers each month.
The publisher of “A Message from God” has told me that during the War he will send one thousand copies of the “Message” to any address in the United Kingdom for distribution among the soldiers and sailors for 25/- carriage paid. Will you ask him to send me a thousand each month? If not one thousand, I should be glad of the means to buy five hundred. I can use as many as I can get.
A dear friend sent me one thousand Gospels of St. John from the Scripture Gift Mission, and thankful we were for the gift, but they are gone, and we want more. If five thousand were sent me I could use them. Perhaps some kind friend will get me a grant.
A sailor on a torpedo boat writes: — “I am writing on behalf of my mates to thank you very much for the parcel of literature you so kindly sent. I gave them out and had enough and some over, which I will distribute to another boat. I am sure that the men appreciate them very much, and I pray that it may be the means of leading them to Christ.” Pray for them.
A Christian worker writes: — “I was delighted to receive another parcel of gospel literature on Monday. I was thinking of writing to you about Sunday with the soldiers, and the sight of fresh books goaded me on.... May God bless you in your labor of love...”
Extract from a letter: ― “A short time ago I wrote to a soldier enclosing some of your books. He replied thanking me, and spoke of his deep consciousness of sin and praying that his life might be spared in this awful War. I was deeply sorry to read this week that he was killed in action. I trust the books sent led him to Christ. Thank God he received them in time. Had I neglected to send them, what an opportunity would have been Missed! I do pray that God will bless the thousands of Gospels, Testaments and tracts you are sending to the Front. Eternity will reveal what blessing has resulted. To Him be all the praise!... May God bless His word at the Palladium this evening, and bring many in real repentance of sin before Him, who is waiting to pardon and bless every anxious soul.” Pray for our meetings there.
A lady sent me one hundred Testaments in khaki, for which I was very thankful. Another gift from Guernsey of French Testaments and Gospels is much appreciated. Another lady sends a contribution for French Gospels and Testaments.
Brantford, Canada. A Christian sends me two hundred “Grace and Truth” to be distributed among the Canadian soldiers. A few days after God brought me in touch with a godly sergeant in a Canadian regiment, and I have sent them to him.
Kingston, Jamaica. An encouraging letter was received from a dear Christian in Kingston, and books, and money to buy more. The writer says: “We should so much like to help those in some way who are now giving their lives for the Honor and safety of the Empire.... God be thanked that He has raised up those who feel their responsibility in the matter, and may He abundantly bless this work. Will you use the enclosed small sum to buy Testaments?”
A dear friend writes: — “I am forwarding you by passenger train five hundred ‘Messages,’ ‘Gospel Gleanings,’ etc., for distribution among the soldiers, from three or four in our Assembly.
... I might say that through the reading of your December and January numbers of ‘Message,’ the Sunday school teachers have decided to make a collection each Sunday from scholars and teachers, so as to be able to send you a small amount each month for ‘Messages’ or Testaments, as you may think best.” God bless them!
Tremel. Madame Le Coat writes to tell me the Belgian refugees have left Tremel, but that they confessed Christ before they went. Mademosielle Le Quere writes to say that owing to the War the dear orphans have had no Christmas tree this past year; the money usually spent for their presents has been used to buy some luxuries for the dear wounded soldiers at Morlaix. The children wished this to be done with all their hearts. Please pray for dear Madame in these trying times, and help her if you can.
Friends known and unknown. I have thanked all kind friends who have written to me personally, and I desire also to thank all who have sent help to me anonymously. God will bless you all, and I ask you to pray that help may still be forthcoming, for the need is greater than ever. I am sorry I have no room to quote from other letters. I am keeping all in my album of the War, and God we know has read them all.