Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/80

74 that as is thy day so may thy strength be. What a blessed comfort it is that we have an open Bible within reach when struck clown by sickness or affliction; for at such dark seasons, if it were not for that precious book, we might doubt that 'God is love.' But surely there is balm for every woe there. 'All things work together for good to them that love God.' 'That which we know not now we shall know hereafter.' When Job, complaining of his friends' cruelty, declared his misery to them and besought them to have pity upon him, for the hand of God had touched him, suddenly he finds comfort elsewhere, and in joyous triumph exclaims, 'Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book, that they were graven with an iron pen in the rock for ever — for I know that my Redeemer liveth!'"

A letter to his eldest sister, a few days afterwards, expressed the overflowings of his thankful heart for the mercy of his mother's restoration. Towards its close, he thus wrote:

"Lot us earnestly pray for each other that wo may have that vitality and love which a seen and accepted Christ alone can kindle within our hearts. We must watch and pray, lest the things of this world draw off our hearts from the one thing needful, and make us forget that here we have no continuing city. But though we are weak, Christ is strong, and his strength is made perfect in our weakness. Let us look to our incarnate God, who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame.

"Now, to tell you some news of my daily life. On Wednesday I drove out with Major Halkett, 4th Light Dragoons, to Chilham Castle, and we had pleasant religious conversation on our way. The castle crowns the hill of the village of Chilham, and looks very old. Mr. Wildman was not at home, but we saw Mrs. Wildman. She is a delightful Christian. How invigorating it is to meet with such. She took us to see