The Soldier Son of a Praying Mother

Writes to a Christian friend: — “I can relate many instances where the Lord has been pleased to spare me. One of these occurred at Ypres, where we had billeted for the night in the big Cloth Hall. It is an immense building, and held two regiments numbering roughly about two thousand. We had all retired for the night, and I suppose the majority were asleep when the enemy put one of their noted ‘Jack Johnsons’ clean through the roof. It was a deafening report, and everybody was awake in an instant, and of course everything was in a state of confusion for about five minutes. Then could be heard the groans of those that were wounded, so we lighted a couple of candles and commenced a search for them. We found four killed and seventeen wounded.
“The most wonderful part was that the chap on my left was struck only slightly in the elbow, and the one on my right had a great piece of shell stuck in a bully-beef tin which was in his haversack, and which he was using as a pillow. He had a wonderful escape, and it is a wonder how it got into his haversack without touching me, for I was sleeping close to him. You can’t imagine how the Lord has taken care of me since I have been out here, and that verse,
“Not a single shaft can hit,
Till the God of love sees fit,”
surely applies to me and has fixed itself in my mind.”
This incident should be a comfort to those who at home are praying for their loved ones at the Front.
A dear worker writes: — “On passing one of the ‘Message from God’ to someone to send to a soldier at the Front, they told me that he had written saying that he was in the trenches, and when a relief man came for him he was shot in front of him. While he was waiting for another to relieve him he said to himself, ‘Why was I spared?’ May your ‘Message’ sent to him be a message from God to him; may it tell him of a Saviour’s long-suffering grace, not willing that any should perish.”
God is not mocked. — Our dear friend told me a solemn incident. It was told him by the brother of one who was present. When the Germans were shelling a farm where a doctor was amputating a man’s arm, a young lad was holding a light, and the sight of the operation being too much for the lad, he began to feel faint. With many curses the doctor called him a coward and no Englishman. Then the shells began to wreck the farm and they had to clear out hastily, packing up what they could. When they got outside, the doctor, still swearing, got upon his horse, when a shell struck him and his horse, and both were shattered to pieces.

Work Among the Soldiers and Sailors
WE are much encouraged by the many letters of sympathy and the help that has come from all parts to aid us in this work for God. Forty large parcels have been sent by post to the Front and to the Fleet this month. If the means are forthcoming we shall be glad to send one hundred parcels next month. Now is the time to work. So much is being done to amuse the soldiers, it should be ours to arouse the dear fellows to a sense of their need of salvation, and to help in every way we can those who on land and sea are working for the Master now.
A sailor writes: — “I received your parcel quite safely, and I distributed the contents among my shipmates... It was just the thing we needed. We have a little meeting every night, and I am sure we shall not forget you in our prayers.... On our cruise from Australia we called at a place called Suva, a British port, and the negroes came alongside our ship with oranges, bananas and cocoanuts, but did not want money if they could get a Bible. They said the missionary taught them to pray.” Thank God for this. I trust the missionary will read this letter.
An officer writes: — “I am most grateful for the splendid packet of New Testaments, Gospels, and booklets, all of which have been most gratefully received by men of various regiments, and leading, I trust, some to the knowledge of the acceptance of the Saviour... I am so grateful for your prayers; we need all we can get out here.”
A Christian worker writes: — “Very many thanks for the parcel of Testaments, etc. I have only three left, so should be very glad of some more. I had fourteen men over here for prayer yesterday, and hardly a day passes but what some are won for Christ...I have had seventy in a month seeking the Saviour.... I like ‘How Can I Be Saved?’ and the ‘Message from God,’ and can make good use of large numbers as the men leave here every day and fresh ones come.”
Another worker writes: — “Thank you so very much for the beautiful parcel. Truly the need for the Word of God is great, yea, if I had twenty thousand Gospels I should probably be without again in a very short time.... the need is great, oh! so great. About thirty men came out for Christ these last few days, and we trust to the Lord to add to the numbers daily.”
Another writes: — “Many thanks for Gospels and tracts. They are just what we need here, as I go to the station and see all the drafts off, which generally number thousands... you will see how useful they are. I have a Bible class and gospel meeting nearly every night, and thank God, over one hundred men have professed salvation. Often men are in my tent by 9 a.m... This War is making men think, and God is leading them to Himself, and to Him be all the glory. I shall be very grateful for any number of gospel tracts, etc.”
Another writes: — “ Thank you very much for so kindly sending me such a nice parcel of New Testaments, Gospels, and booklets. I shall be most happy to receive more at any time.... On Saturday afternoon, while visiting a number of fresh men, they were all eager for something to read, so I gave what I had away, and could have given more if I had had them.”
These earnest letters are all written by workers at the Front. Dear friends, you see from this how great the need is. You can help me to send oftener to these dear men. I am sorry I cannot give more extracts; I have no space. But each letter speaks eloquently of present need, which you and I can help to meet.
To friends at home who help. — My warm thanks to all who have helped by sending me Gospels, Testaments, and books, and the means to get them. A dear friend sent me one thousand Gospels of St. John, and I should be glad of more. He also sent me French Gospels, which have also been sent to the Front. The dear Sunday School children mentioned in March “Message” have sent their donation for God’s work. I may be able next month to speak more of the loving help and sympathy of friends.