Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/182

Rh peace of mind that cleaving to Christ brings to a man! There is nothing like it in this world. How could I be happy now, if I had not the assurance that I have a Saviour in heaven, whose precious blood was once shed for me, and who now ever liveth to make intercession for me? I find more and more every day how little I can depend upon the feelings of my own heart toward Him; but my constant comfort is, that Jesus Christ 'is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever'

"We are still on the heights before Sebastopol, but there we seem to be at a stand-still. Every-day reports are rife that some thing great is intended; but the days pass by, and nothing is done. Meanwhile the men are suffering much, chiefly from the difficulty of procuring firewood, never plentiful, but now scarcely to be got at, on account of the snow; and yet they bear up nobly under all their privations (which are far worse than those of their officers), and scarcely a murmuring word ever falls from their lips. The warm clothing has at length arrived, so the army is better off now in that respect. 6,000 French troops reached the camp last week. They are close to us — all such lively, cheery fellows, although their tents are even worse than ours, and their dress is very thin and light.

"January 26th. — Owing to the rapidly decreasing numbers of the British army, the duty in the trenches is now very severe. But whenever I feel inclined to repine, I turn my eyes to the sufferings of my Redeemer on Calvary, and soon forget my hardships or count them as nothing. The day before yesterday, when I was in the trenches, I seated myself on a gun-carriage, and read with great comfort the first of Ephesians. My thoughts dwelt chiefly on those few cheering words, '.' Oh, what a healing balm there is here for a weary, heavy-laden sinner! How I long to have my heart ever