Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/231

Rh "That brave soldier, that eminent Christian, that active servant of Christ, that loving heart, had wound itself round my heart. I could weep all day; but this is wrong. Let me think upon the honour conferred upon him in life; of the easy passage in death; of the bliss of his spirit in paradise; and of the brilliant example he has left behind! I will try to think of him, rather than of myself, or even of those so dear to me. But their sorrows pierce me. But let me rather think of the wisdom and love of His government, who, indeed, wept at the tomb of Lazarus, and, therefore, I may weep; but intended that tomb to give a higher display of the Divine glory. Oh, let us trust where we cannot trace, and believe that we shall discover only love in our most painful feelings here.

"Yet a little while, and Rev. vii. 13-17, xxi. 4, will be fulfilled: and there we shall meet our beloved ones who have gone before (1 Thess. iv. 13-18;) and the presence of the Lord will be the sunshine upon all. I pray God comfort you and your dear children, and dear Lord and Lady Rayleigh.

"Believe me to be, dear Mrs. Vicars, yours faithfully and affectionately,

" I cannot but regard the death of Captain Vicars as a national calamity, as it has deprived  the Queen and the nation of the service of an officer who was distinguished by his gallantry and devotion to the service."

"Occasionally in the midst of the horrors of war, one meets traits of character which are very pleasing. You will have seen in the newspapers some accounts of the