Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/230

220 From a private in the Coldstream Guards, formerly a Crystal Palace workman, who enlisted principally with the hope of being sent to the Crimea, that he might see Captain Vicars again:

"— When I opened the paper it made the tears come into my eyes, for to hear that my beloved friend had left this world. He is gone to sleep in Jesus. I wish I had been by his side and seen him fall asleep. But I know that he is in greater glory than is to be had in this world. When last I saw him in Beckenham amongst us, little did I think that it was the last. But he fell in duty and glory.

"I expect we shall leave for the East in a day or so. We are all at a minute's notice. I have all the little books you gave me, packed up in my kit.

"I was always living in the hopes of seeing that beloved, respected Captain, and honoured brother in the Lord, out there, when I got a chance of going out to him. Now I am disappointed. But I will put no trust in princes to get me to heaven; but I look on the blood of Jesus on the cross, I will trust in Him, and he will never forsake me. For Jesus says —

'All ye that thirst, approach the stream Where living waters flow.'

"Our beloved friend is drinking of those living waters now.

"So no more at present from your humble and grateful friend,

" — I am not writing to you merely a letter of sympathy. I believe I can fully enter into your grief. Since the sudden death of a dear child of my own—darling Lucy's mother—I have never felt so thoroughly heart-stricken.