Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/145

138 sincerity of a man who professes faith in Jesus, then, still keeping before his eyes the cross of Christ to prevent despair, probe and search him deeply, and endeavour to make him examine himself; but never open a wound without instantly giving the remedy. There are hypocrites in the world, we all know — men who, while they talk with earnestness of their love to the Saviour, yet virtually crucify Him in their lives; and much scandal is brought by them on the Church of Christ. But it is not the preaching of a free Gospel, as some suppose, that makes them so, but their own total ignorance of the saving doctrines of the cross, and of the power of the Holy Ghost upon their hearts.

"I do not think I ever told yon of Craney's happy death. Shortly before he breathed his last, he asked Dr. Twining to read Romans viii. to him. As he read, the dying man's breath became shorter and his face brighter; and as the last words fell upon his ear, 'Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord' — he said, 'Thank you, Sir; that will do, ' and died.

"I have no news to tell you, my darling sister. You will, of course, have heard of the grand victory gained by the allies over the Russians. Whilst I would not have missed the time of the cholera, or have been absent a day while my regiment suffered from its ravages, yet, I must confess, I should have wished to have been now at the post of danger — the proper place for a soldier. I do not think my chief motive in this desire is the wish for military distinction, although ready and willing to do my duty as a soldier. I trust my motives are in accordance with Christ. The carnage of the battle-field has no attractions for me; but there is a wide field for missionary labour, when the roar of the cannon has ceased, and the deadly strife is over. There are wounded men who have souls to