Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/128

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Dearer than life to him was the hope of persuading the dying to look to Jesus, remembering the breadth of the promise, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth." And doubly did he prize the opportunity, when the lighting up of a dying eye at the name of Jesus assured him he was ministering to one of the brethren of his Lord, for he was not unmindful of the words, "I was sick, and ye visited me."

Whilst thus intently occupied in promoting the spiritual welfare of the men of his regiment, he was no less keenly alive to the best interests of his brother officers. Although open opposition on the part of those who differed from him in religious opinion had long ceased, he did not know until now how firm was his hold on their feelings and confidence. When laid aside by illness, they all welcomed his visits, and generally asked him to repeat them. The reality of his religion was now proved beyond all question. It had been weighed in the balances with mere worldly motives of action, and had not been found wanting. Confidence could no longer be with- held from principles which had subdued to thoughtful tenderness for the souls of those around, a spirit amongst the most buoyant and dauntless of them all.

"I have been thinking over the time we spent at the Piræus," writes a young brother officer in whom Hedley Vicars was warmly interested, "and will tell you of anything which strikes me. I was constantly with Vicars there, and know what his daily life was better, perhaps, than any one else. But about that it is difficult to say more than that he never tor a moment seemed to forget 'whose he was.' When we