Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/172

Rh lying cold and comfortless on the bare ground, rays of sunshine seemed to illumine that charnel tent as I brought the crucified Saviour before those men, for tears glistened in many an eye, and the smile of hope and peace was on many a lip. I feel it indeed a pleasure and privilege to talk to my sick comrades and fellow-sinners of Jesus; and I am sure that they who never visit the suffering and dying, deprive themselves of the deepest happiness this life affords. It is painful, often heartrending, to witness agony we cannot alleviate; to see the distorted face and hear the cry of anguish of friends and comrades. But it is sweet to be the bearer to them of glad tidings of joy and peace through the great Redeemer's atonement and love; and to see some of them gently falling asleep murmuring the life-restoring name of Jesus. I have seen these, and I cannot find words to tell the delight of hope which has then filled my breast. The weather, which has been for three or four days fine and frosty, is now again damp and rainy; but I have got a pretty good tent, and the rain that does find its way through the roof, is capital for drinking!

"You will be glad to hear that precious little book of hymns was a great comfort to one of my sick brother officers, Major Colville. I went to see him the night before last, and read him two or three. He seemed much delighted with them. Poor fellow! he was sent down yesterday to Balaklava. I do not expect to see him again in this world.

"We are expecting every day to meet the enemy in open field or to storm the fortress. I wish they could go at it, at once. Be not anxious about me. I am safe in the arms of my Saviour—I feel it, I know it—in life or death.