Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/74

68 On his renewing the conversation in the evening, I said, half-inquiringly, "These subjects seem to have an interest for you?"

"Nothing in the world is worth calling interesting by their side," he answered, with a fervour which told its own story; and then gave me an outline of the manner in which he had worked the great change in his own soul. With forceful simplicity he told the point of the story; how the words, "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin," became the sheet-anchor of his soul; adding, "Thus was I born again of the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."

The next day he walked with my father about the gardens; and it was pleasant to see the affection which at once sprung up between the "veteran of the cross" and the young soldier of the cross and of his country.

From that visit we date a friendship which cannot be replaced on earth, and the prolonged enjoyment of which is reserved for heaven.

Early in November he spent a few days with us at Beckenham, and the visit proved to us indeed "a time of refreshing." On the Sabbath he taught twice in the school, and between the afternoon and evening services visited a stranger afflicted with paralysis, then lodging in the village; a man of considerable intellectual cultivation, inquiring after truth, but fettered by a long habit of scepticism. For him the singleness, honesty, and fervour of Hedley Vicars' character had a peculiar charm. The few strong, earnest words which he said in explanation of a passage of Scripture, and the simplicity and reality of his prayer, produced an impression which was never effaced, and was deepened by every succeeding visit.

After the schoolroom service, he addressed and prayed with several Railwaymen, then working at the Crystal Palace grounds, who assembled for a