The Dying Soldier’s Letter

This letter was published in the Echo de Paris. It was written by a French private soldier as he lay dying on the battlefield of the Marne, and it runs as follows: ― “This happens on Thursday, in the department of the Marne, in the environs of―. I am waiting for help that will never come, and I pray God to take me, for I am suffering horribly. Adieu, my wife and darling children; adieu all my family whom I have loved so much. I ask those of my comrades who find this note to forward it to Paris to my wife, together with my notebook, which I am leaving in the same pocket of my greatcoat. Calling up my last energies, I am writing this stretched out, with my two legs broken, under a hail of lead. My last thoughts are for my children, for thee, my darling wife, the companion of my life, my beloved wife.” God cares! Do we?
Do you care? If you do, help us to send Testaments to these dear lads that want them so. My heart weeps as I think of the awful, terrible need. Every day I am brought face to face with it, and every day it sends me on my knees in earnest prayer to God that He will incline His stewards to send me tens of thousands of Testaments for the dear lads at the Front.