Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/46

40 I have long perceived in my beloved young friend a rapid ripening for glory. This was evident in his entire devotion of soul to the Saviour, whom he Loved, and that intimate knowledge of the length, and breadth, and depth of the love of Christ which he possessed, it seemed to me, in an increased and increasing degree every time I heard from him. Our short-sighted eyes might see many reasons why lie should be continued in a sphere of usefulness which he so eminently filled and adorned; but we see through a glass darkly: He who has been pleased to say unto him,' 'Come up higher,' has condescended to say to us that all shall be explained when we see face to face, and know as we are known. 'What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.'

"You ask me for some details relative to my dear friend. It affords me a melancholy pleasure to give them, as well because it is the wish of those to whom he was most dear, as because it recalls the occasions when we took sweet counsel together and walked as friends.

"When I first knew Captain Vicars he was 'walking according to the course of this world.' He had, as he told me, been under strong convictions in the West Indies and attended religious meetings: but trusting in his own resolutions, and not in the Saviour's strength, he had fallen again under the power of temptation. There was something very attractive in his appearance, and I asked him to meet with a few officers and others at my house to join in reading the Scriptures, conversation, and prayer. He came at once, and never failed to attend regularly. It was soon evident that he took a deep interest in the matter. He became a teacher in my Sunday-school, and attended a Bible class which I had established on Sunday-evening for soldiers, and another during the week for soldiers' wives; this he did to encourage the men and women of his regiment to come. He and Mr.