Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/225

Rh now! Even in death his habitual happy smile did not forsake him. The Lord knew when and how to take him; but it is a severe and unspeakably painful trial to me.

" liked and respected Vicars; even those who did not agree with his strict religion; and those who had known him so long as the leader of every mad riot, when, after closely watching him for years, and finding that once enlisted in Christ's army, he never flinched — at last gave in, and acknowledged that Vicars, at any rate, was a true Christian. How sadly we shall miss him in all our little meetings. O God, help me to bear this sad affliction! I can't go on. He died gloriously, and now he is perfeclly happy. God help his afflicted family, and help me also to bow submissively to His will!

"Our men got great praise for the fight last night; but who would not go anywhere with such a leader?

"Somehow, I passed a restless, almost sleepless night, and I then heard different arrivals of our wounded men, but did not know that my poor — no, my happy — friend was amongst the number, until parade at day-break. If you have not lost that crocus which Vicars sent a few weeks ago, please to keep it. Oh! blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.

"Farewell, Vicars, my loved companion! I knew when he went into action he would show that a Christian soldier was a brave as well as a happy man. I do not exactly know how it all was. I only vouch for the above facts, and the terrible reality of poor Vicars' noble frame lying in the hospital tent, where I saw it. We are in tent here, too. God bless you, dearest mother; and may He sanctify this severe trial to my soul.

Six months more, and Douglas Macgregor and Hedley Vicars had met again. "Lovely and pleasant in their lives, in their death they were not (long) divided."