Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/66

60 "Everywhere he was followed by affection and respect, writes one, whose graceful sketch of his brief history has already appeared in the pages of a religious periodical. "There was no mistaking the spirit of the Christian in the manly independence, the genuine humility, the open, unselfish heart, and the singleness of purpose which ever seemed to say, 'One thing I have desired—one thing I do.

But chiefly did he delight in speaking of the things which belonged to their everlasting pence, to those who were nearest and dearest to his heart.

"It was something so very new and precious," said the sister who had been the chief friend of his boyhood, and had maintained the most frequent correspondence with him in his long absence, "to have a tender brother who gave one the loving protection of a father, and the faithful counsel of a friend." Daily did they gather round him for the study of the Word of God, and after the nightly farewells to the drawing-room circle, he met his mother and sisters again for holy conversation and prayer.

Precious, indeed, must have been those too fleeting hours of unreserved fellowship of hearts, dimly foreshadowing a more lasting and perfect communion yet to be.

That this tender interest in their best welfare was sustained in absence, will be seen by his letters written at this period:

, July 4th, 1853.

"—I received your letter on Friday last, and began to answer it yesterday, but could not finish it. O, my beloved sister, how I love to hear you speak about Christ: and what comfort, what cause for abundant gratitude to our heavenly