Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/226

216 Bright as the young survivor's Christian life had been before, it cleared into yet fuller lustre during those six months, ere his sun went down at noon. He regularly visited the hospitals, to read and pray with the sick and dying, and in every way sought to follow in the steps of that beloved friend, over whose grave he had wept with the strength of manly affection, and the tenderness of a woman's love.

On the death of Lieutenant Dorman, in the month of August, Lieutenant Macgregor, at the age of twenty, was appointed Adjutant to his regiment, an office for which his remarkable energy, sweetness of temper, and devoted military ardour peculiarly qualified him.

On the fatal 8th of September, twice he fought his way into the Redan, the second time to come no more out. He was found far advanced on that red ground, lying by a cannon, in the sleep of death.

The next letter is from one whose own abounding labours of love amongst the ungodly, the sick and the dying, under the shadow of death, rendered him peculiarly open to the refreshing influence of even passing contact with such a spirit as that of Hedley Vicars:

"My heart is filled with sorrow. I am deeply pained. I am much distressed. And well do I know I write to one whose soul shall be filled with grief — grief which only Jesus can relieve; sorrow which only His hand can wipe away.

"From dear Dr. Cay's letter of the 23d, you have heard of the death of much-loved Captain Vicars. It has come over us as a heavy blow. It has taught us solemn lessons. It has caused the deepest affliction. We seek grace to bow to the will of the Lord, and to feel that His ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts. You know the circumstances. (Then follows a statement of the facts already given.) He 'fell asleep in Jesus' His work was done on earth — his race was run — his conflict ended— his crown awaiting — and now he wears it.