Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/208

198 grant his most precious life may long be spared to us and to the Church of God. Tell him, with my best love that I have distributed amongst my brother officers his delightful 'Invitation to United Prayer for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.' And I trust that it may lead several to turn their thoughts and minds to the contemplation of those things that belong to their peace. Major Ingram is one of ray best friends, and a true Christian. I have known both him and his dear wife for many years. We have often prayed, and read, and held communion together. Douglas Macgregor is very dear to me. He is very young, and full of high spirits, which might now and then carry him away, were he not continually seeking to have more and more of the mind of Christ; and, in these solemn scenes, his thoughts turn oftener heavenward. Do not cease to pray for him, and for my subaltern, Lieut. Brinkley (for whom I have a real interest), that they may both be good and fearless soldiers of Jesus Christ. Macgregor is the officer I mentioned, who asked, some weeks ago, to be my companion in visiting the hospitals, adding with characteristic ingeniousness, 'I have just been reading those words, "I was sick, and ye visited me not," and I should not like my Saviour to be addressing those words to me' The weather is quite warm, with brilliant sunshine, so we are throwing off our winter clothing. I am sorry to say we ate to be removed from our present ground to where the Light Division is encamped; but soldiers ought not to grumble at inconveniences. Yesterday I visited the hospitals, and read the Twelfth of Hebrews, and prayed with a poor dying man, who beckoned me to do so when I was at the other end of the ward. He was low and wretched; but he seemed comforted when I spoke to him of that 'blood which cleanseth from all sin,' and told him of the dying love of Jesus. I do hope that he and I shall meet in heaven, clothed in white robes.