Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/228

218 Major Ingram's tent, Dr. Cay also being present and another officer. It was put on me to read and pray, and it was good to be among them. He, with Dr. Cay, conveyed me a long way. Our conversation turned chiefly on the happiness of glorified spirits and their enjoyments. He was much delighted at the prospect of the National Fast Day on the following day. It was the sweetest walk I have ever had! Little did I think it was to be the last with him.

"On the 21st he met with others, and passed the day in fasting and prayer, and very pleasantly. My spirit was with him and the little band. Next night he was in glory. Yes, I feel sure of this. It seemed to me he was peculiarly ripe for it. He was growing much in the Divine life, and it must afford peculiar satisfaction to you to know (as he told me in that last walk), your letters had been the means of greatly strengthening him, and helping him forward. To God be the glory. Yes, he has fallen as a soldier and as a Christian. The Church of God, his dear mother and sisters, and Christian friends shall miss him much. Yet we cannot, we would not recall him, if we could. God had need of him. He is removed from the evil to come. The white robe is now his — the crown of victory — the song that shall never end. Tears may give place to joy. True, it was not amidst kind friends or on downy bed he died, it was in the deadly charge and in the battle's strife. Yet it is all one. He fell as a Christian, nobly doing his duty. He awaits to give us a welcome on high. Kindly recognition shall take place. He needs us to swell the song, to help to praise. Lord, more grace, more grace, that we may follow him as he followed Jesus!

"Dr. Cay is to get a stone to mark his grave, that it may be well known. He lies close to the mile-stone on the Woronzoff road to Sebastopol, 200 yards from the Picket House.

"I feel deeply for his mother and sisters — I cannot say how deeply. May they know much of the sympathy of Jesus! You, too, shall need it for you have lost a brother.