Dr. R.– had lent "Notes on Exodus," by C. H. SI., to a lady patient in London. A clergyman friend called to see her, and finding her in such a happy state of mind, asked her what had produced such a change. So she lent him the book that had been blessed to her, and his letter to her shows how the Lord used it for him also.
Base Hospital, France. May 9, 1917.
" My very dear Friend,
They tell me I have not many days to live, so before I become too weak to write, I want to send you a few lines to tell you all is well with me, and to thank you for your faithful friendship which (looking back) I see the dear Lord has made the channel of my return to the fold.
"When I heard, six weeks ago, that you were in London, I was constrained to go and see you. You know how I found you enjoying a peaceful and profitable time with our Lord at the foot of Mount Horeb, where I joined you (see " Notes on Exodus "). Never shall I be able to express the sudden joy that came into my soul as we talked ; and then you allowed me to bring away that precious book. I read it all the way home in the train, and before I went to bed that night the truth was brought home to me that I had never seen until then, for I really had not known or loved Christ before-my so-called ministry had been but profession. So I went down on my knees and offered my life anew to Him. I learned my lesson in the back side of the desert; and after this He sent me here, like Moses of old, to speak words of comfort and cheer to the oppressed.
"I cannot write much more. I hope you will be able to read this pencil scrawl, written by degrees. Will you kindly let my mother see it?
"Thank God for having permitted me to speak of Him to many of our dear boys. On the last occasion my fellow stretcher-bearer was killed, so I pulled my precious burden to a more secluded spot. The poor boy was dying, I knew, but he begged me not to leave him-he was only 19, of gentle birth, and so fair to look upon. I lay down flat beside him, feigning death, until the night should fall, for this was my only chance of safety. Soon he whispered :"I am going. Will you kiss me?" I leaned over him, and putting my face close to his, whispered words of comfort. He managed to put his arms around my neck and gasped; " God bless you. Please tell my mother I am safe in the arms of Jesus." … At that moment I raised my head, and a sniper shot me in the back. They found us locked together, and at first thought we were both dead, and they had great difficulty in removing his arms, which were tightly clasped around my neck, for we had lain many hours thus.
" God bless you, dear friend. It will rejoice the heart of your Dr. to know that you have passed his teaching on to me, and that this book has been so abundantly blessed to my soul. This will be sent to you after my death."
Signed, "John."
The sequel to the above is also interesting ;
"John's only brother-a former Colonel in the Life Guards, ejected through drink-felt his brother's death (the chaplain's) deeply, and asked to see the book which had been blessed to his brother. My husband's patient lent it to him," says the wife of Dr. R–, "and he wrote later, confessing the Saviour, and groaning over his past life."
" Last Wednesday week he was in the train at Liverpool Street Station, when it was bombed; he was fatally injured, but passed away rejoicing in the Lord. His former fiancee, a titled lady, was with him, and declared she never could have believed it possible that any man could have been so changed. How great is the grace of God, and how wonderful this miracle of grace!" -From "Work in Many Lands."