Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/78

72 nor the flood of joy which burst in upon my soul when I read in his flowing blood full pardon for all that was past.

"Years have gone by since then, but I have been preserved by his grace and kept by his power from falling away, and thus dishonoring the Christian profession. I need scarcely tell you that I have never had cause to repent the transfer of my allegiance from the Destroyer to the Saviour of men. Surely, having been forgiven so much I ought to love much, and unite with others in making known the Redeemer's love to those who are ignorant and out of the way. And what a balm tor the weary and heavy laden, what a cure for the guilty is offered alike to all in the Gospel of Christ! And oh, what a glorious truth when brought home to the anxious heart by the Holy Spirit — what a sweet and precious doctrine is there set forth! and  forgiveness, perfect acceptance and assured reconciliation with God; and this already effected by Divine mercy, and sealed with the sufferings and death of the Son of God.

"Mr. ——'s letter delighted me much. I thank God for the good work which has been so evidently begun in his heart. (Oh that every soldier and sailor knew the love of Christ!) I have already prayed for him more than once, and trust that the oftener I do so the more fervent may be my petitions. Such wonderful answers as you have had to prayer for the souls of others will, I trust, lead me (and you too) more frequently to the Throne of Grace, and to rely more implicitly upon the promise of Him who changeth not. 'If any two of you shall agree upon earth touching anything that ye shall ask, it shall be granted you of my Father which is in heaven.'

"My leave is rapidly drawing to a close; on the 31st I rejoin my regiment. Perhaps we shall not meet for a long time, be this as it may, I can never forget my friends at Beckenham, nor the happy days I have spent with them.