IT was in the midst of the battle of Sedan. A thick cloud of smoke, like a funeral pall, enveloped the opposing armies. The roar of the cannon was deafening. The day was declining, and the clouds of night commenced to descend upon the field of battle. The cold wind of the evening blew violently, but not strong enough to drown the groans of the wounded and dying.
In the midst of this heartrending scene, when many souls were passing out of this world into eternity, when others besought that death might put an end to their sufferings, some soldiers, carrying one of their wounded comrades, were making a way for themselves across a heap of dead bodies.
“Leave me," said the wounded man, "I want to die: take no further trouble with me. Leave me, I pray you.”
With regret, they deposited their precious burden, and took their places again in the ranks. Some minutes, which seemed like hours to the poor dying man, passed by. Then, an officer, approaching him, said kindly, "What can I do for you?”
“Nothing, captain, thank you," he replied, endeavoring to salute him.
“Do you want some water?" added the officer, more affected than he cared to show.
“No, thanks, captain. I am dying.”
“What kindness can I do for you? I will willingly write to your parents or friends to inform them of your death.”
“I have no one, captain, to whom you can write," said the dying man, with tears in his eyes. "However, I will make one request. In the haversack which is under my head, you will find a New Testament. Will you open it at John 14.? and, towards the end of the chapter, you will find a verse where it speaks of peace. Please oblige me by reading it to me.”
The officer bent down. With trembling hands he opened the haversack, and took out a well-thumbed New Testament. He looked for the passage, and his eyes quickly fell on the verse. Throwing then a glance on the dying man, whose countenance was illuminated by rays of faith and hope, he turned his head to conceal his tears. The joyful hope which possessed the soldier recalled to the officer the last moments of his mother.
He returned to the verse. It was the very same that his mother had quoted when dying, and now amidst the noise of the battle, he was asked to read the words to a young man who was also dying. Restraining himself, he read the words of Jesus, " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
A minute had passed since the New Testament was opened; but during this short instant, how many memories flashed across the minds of him who came to read, and of him who was dying. The latter had been carried in spirit far from the battle. He found himself in the village where he passed his youth. He recalled the days, when he accompanied his dear pastor to a well-known house. He remembered the tears that were shed, and the prayers that were offered to God for the conversion of a young man of his own age, and he rejoiced in the assurance, that he would soon meet in heaven the one who had taught him the way of salvation.
Such were the thoughts which filled the young soldier as he looked back, while, before him, shone the ineffable glory, and he saw Jesus, whose voice he well knew, saying, "Come up hither.”
And what were the officer's thoughts in that moment? For many years he had not opened his Bible, till he had just read those words of Jesus. Those words reminded him of his dear mother, whose hope was in Christ, and whose end was so peaceful. The remembrance of her good counsels had faded from his mind. He had now for companions, men who mocked at the word of God he held in his hand. He had often said himself that a soldier has no time for religion. But now, on the battlefield, he was asked to read to a dying man this New Testament which he had totally neglected. What would his scoffing friends say to him? Shame mounted to his face as he thought of it, but fled quickly as he considered the dying man, whose heart delivered from all fear of judgment, overflowed with peace and joy.
“There is something striking here," said he to himself. "There is certainly something in this religion which is unknown to me. A religion capable of making a dying man rejoice on the battlefield is worth having.” The soldier raised himself up a little on his elbow, and, as if he had read the officer's thoughts said, "Thanks, captain; I possess this peace, and I shall soon be with my Saviour. I need nothing; God is with me.”
“Keep the book," added he, in a faint voice, "it has led me to Jesus, it will lead you also." With these words, he fell back heavily in a pool of blood. The officer placed the book in his pocket, and hastened to rejoin his regiment. "If I am spared," he said to himself, "I will myself know this peace.”
It was by Christ that the soldier of Sedan had been saved, and it is by Christ, that the officer is to day saved also. On the battlefield may now be seen a tombstone, inscribed with the name of the soldier, and the number of his regiment. It was erected by a superior officer who keeps it carefully; and on it may be read this passage: "He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days forever and ever.”
(From the French.)