Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/144

Rh these poor suffering creatures of the love of God, but by 'looking unto Jesus?' And to whom could I implore them to look, but Jesus? Baptismal regeneration, church privileges, the sacramental system, confession, and priestly absolution may do for some people when in health, but no smile of joy from a sick man, I believe would ever be the fruit of such miserable comforters in the last hour. When a dying man can say or feel, 'I know that my Redeemer liveth,' he wants no more; it is Jesus he thirsts for and longs to hear about. I have witnessed the effect of even the name of Jesus. I have noticed a calm and peaceful look pass more than once over the ghastly face of the dying as that blessed name passed my lips. May we not hope, dearest sister, that (as it was with the dying thief) even at the hour of death, faith in the blood of Jesus, breathed into the soul by the Holy Ghost, has set more jewels in the Redeemer's crown from among the soldiers of the 97th Regiment? God grant that when you and I are summoned before the bar of Christ we may meet many such, 'clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands!'

"It is sad to think what harm even well-intentioned people may do by wandering away from the cross in their dealings with sick men. I remember I used often to visit at Halifax a Corporal Craney, of the 42d Highlanders, who was left behind in Hospital when his regiment went away. One evening when I went to see him, he said to me, 'I am so glad you are come. Sir, for you always speak to me of Him of whom I love to hear, even Jesus my precious Saviour. But just now, Sir, I had a visit from a gentleman, who laid to me, with a loud voice and harsh tone, "Now, are you sure you have repented of your sins? Are you certain you are not deceiving yourself?"' Now, is not this worse than useless, when a man has given clear evidence of repentance and living faith? When one has reason to suspect the