During the Boer war, one of the youngest defenders of Mafeking was a tall lad only sixteen years old, Percy Markham. He had enlisted in a Colonial Volunteer Corps, and very soon found himself in the defense of Mafeking.
One evening the young soldier had just returned to quarters exhausted from two or three days' special duty outside the town. He was called by an officer and told they must have one more man for picket duty. Asked if he would volunteer, he answered: "I will go for two hours, but I am so worn out that I must have rest after that.”
He went, and the two hours had passed; but no relief had come. Feeling unable to ward off sleep much longer, he sent a special message to the captain saying he wished to see him.
When the officer arrived the young soldier explained the situation, and asked if he could not get a substitute. "Oh, yes, my boy, I can," the captain said cheerfully, and promised speedy relief.
Shortly afterward the substitute arrived. Percy was astounded to see the captain himself in the uniform of a regular trooper, ready to take the weary soldier's place.
Writing home to his mother, the boy told her of this incident. He ended with, "what a fine man! Eh, Mother?" And thereafter the captain possessed the whole-hearted devotion of the young soldier.
Reader, do you know this beautiful verse? "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8:99For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9). It was not we that asked for a substitute; but it was God the Father who sent the Son, who offered Himself to take our place.
"When blood from a victim must flow,
This Shepherd by pity was led,
To stand between us and the foe,
And willingly died in our stead!”
I ask: "Is He your Substitute? Have you received Him as such?" The answer lies with you.
Gladly the soldier found rest through the self-sacrifice of his captain. So with you, reader! God, in Christ the perfect Substitute, waits for your decision. Will you receive that precious Savior, or go on heavy laden and exposed to the judgment of a sin-hating God? Why not receive Him now? If you have never before believed and trusted Him, say:
"Jesus, I do trust Thee—
Trust Thee with my soul:
Guilty, lost and helpless,
Thou dost make me whole.
There is none in heaven
Or on earth like Thee:
Thou hast died for sinners,
Therefore, Lord, for me!”