IT was during the Crimean war, when visiting a poor Scotch soldier in the hospital at P―t, that I was told by one of the orderlies, of a Sergeant E―y, who was very ill in another ward. Embracing the opportunity, I followed my conductor to the room where he lay. His flushed cheek and emaciated frame indicated that his disease (consumption) had made considerable progress. Being a stranger, and ignorant of his character, I lifted up my heart to the Lord that he would give grace and wisdom to enable me to speak to this dying soldier. After a few words of sympathy as to his poor failing body, I spoke to him of his condition as a sinner, especially pressing the fact of our individual responsibility and having to do with God for ourselves; and at the same time presented to him the remedy which he had prided in the blood of Christ for our need as sinners. At this first interview but little more was said, as it was near the evening, and his exhausted strength would not admit of a lengthened conversation; and after giving him a tract, I left him with the promise, the Lord willing, to see him again soon. A few days elapsed, and I renewed my visit, when I found his weakness had increased, but there was less reserve in his manner. In a few brief words he related his history and the various exercises of his heart, and as the truth was brought before him he listened with much interest. The next Lord’s-day I saw him again; and as the grace of God in the gift of his Son was presented to him, light broke in upon his hitherto darkened mind, he was led to believe in Jesus, and found peace in the knowledge of what he had accomplished by his death upon the cross. There was a natural reserve in his character, so that he said comparatively little; but enough was heard and witnessed to give confidence to the fact of his having “passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)). In my subsequent interview there was the same whole-hearted reliance on the finished work of Christ, nor was there any apprehension in the prospect of death and eternity. The 2 Corinthians 5 which I read to him was a source of much comfort, as well as the hymn, a part of which was repeated―
“The Cross, it takes our guilt away,
It holds the fainting spirit up:
It cheers with hope the gloomy day,
And sweetens every bitter cup.”
After bidding him adieu, I left him with the thought that I might see him again in the body; but at my next visit, I learned on my arrival at the hospital that his spirit had departed to be with Christ which is “far better.” The orderly who was in attendance upon him bore testimony to the peace and serenity of his closing hours.
And now, dear reader, where are you? If still a stranger to the Lord. Jesus, let me urge you not to delay the question of your soul’s salvation! Do not imagine that because the poor sergeant found the Saviour during his last days, that such may be your case. This is a most delusive thought with which the enemy seeks to blind the minds of multitudes: how often are young and old suddenly removed in the vigor of health by some fatal accident, while others are seized with some malignant fever, and unable to think either of their souls, or the love of the Saviour! Oh, let me press upon you its deep importance now! —Christ in all the value of his person and work is presented to you for your acceptance; none but he can meet your need as a lost sinner far from God.
You have nothing to do, nor have you the ability to do anything. What saith the Scripture? “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)). To you he still says, “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)). Look away from yourself to him whose “blood cleanseth from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). Trust by faith in that precious blood, and then you are saved, and made meet to stand in the presence of God forever! “Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
J. M. D.