NEARLY fifty years ago, an earnest young Christian had it laid upon his heart to go to the Crimea, where war was being waged. He thought of the soldiers’ lot with its hardships and risks and peril, and he longed to go as a herald, of mercy carrying the glad tidings of salvation to the weary, the wounded, and the dying.
It was not an easy matter to get an appointment such as he wished, and how it could be brought about, he had no idea. But he had confidence in the “Hearer of prayer,” and so made known his desire to God, and to Him only.
One day he received a letter which in substance ran thus: “If you are still in mind to go to the East, reply by return of post, and please say when you could start.”
The letter was from one entirely unknown to our Christian friend. He knew there must be some mistake about it, bill he felt that the hand and voice of God were in it, calling him to the scene of conflict,
He went and told a certain Dutchess about it, saying there was clearly a mistake, but that he was willing to go. “How strange!” exclaimed the Dutchess: “I have been praying that God would incline you, to go, and others have been praying also. If there is a mistake, I will send you myself.”
He then wrote to the one who had sent the letter, and learned from him that it was intended for another person of the same name. The letter had gone astray, and the clerk, in the Post-office had written on it, “Try Huntly,” and in this way it came into the hands of our young friend.
Those interested in the matter, very glad to find one so well suited for the work, soon made arrangement for the one who so desired it, to take his departure for the East, and there in the scene of conflict, amongst the wounded and the dying he was greatly used of the Lord.
Nothing happens without the Lord. All circumstances are under His control.
ML 02/14/1904