Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/110

Rh dred as good as himself. That he couldn't. I know enough of religion to know that God alone could do that. But while he was Adjutant — and since too, he has sobered and steadied nigh four hundred of the drunkenmost and wildest men in the regiment. There isn't a better officer nor a better man in the Queen's service."

Within a few days of the departure of the 97th, he received an earnest request from those Crystal Palace workmen whom he had addressed at Beckenham from time to time, that he would give them a few farewell words. We were all absent from home at the time, but a variety of details of the evening reached us in the graphic letters of these poor fellows. One of those letters will suffice here: " — Last night I went to hear that blessed soldier and minister of Christ, Mr. Vicars, addressing the people at Beckenham, and I believe he was much admired by all his hearers; for my part, I never heard a man speak more like a humble, true follower of Christ than he did. But surely (as the words he dwelt much upon say) the love of Christ constraineth him. Oh that all our soldiers and sailors were as he is! Then our land would bring forth her increase, and God! even our own God, would give us his blessing; and God would go before us and fight our battles. But, alas! alas! we follow too much our own ways, and do things we ought not, and leave undone what we should do. Sometimes I think myself that I will try hard to live nearer to God, but perhaps before an hour is gone over, wicked thoughts cross my mind, and thus I sin against God. I feel my desires for good were strengthened last night, and I am right glad I went. I had a great desire to speak to him afterwards, but