Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/153

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146
THE HOSPITAL.

to my L—— and to you should anything happen to me: but for myself, I fear not. If I were trusting to myself in any way, I might indeed tremble at the whistling of every bullet, and dread being summoned in an instant before the judgment-seat of Christ; but I can see no cause for alarm, even at the very moment when soul and body are about to separate, with the crimson cross in full view.

"

'For ever here my rest shall be,
Close to Thy bleeding side:
This all my hope and all my plea:
For me the Saviour died.'

"I intend to carry constantly about with me a Testament, my little hymn-book, that precious little Book of Psalms you gave me, and also your last gift, which I have found such a feast to my soul, 'Hawker's Morning Portion.' I think with these I can get on very well in the Crimea. I had a large meeting of officers in my room for prayer last Sunday afternoon. A number of the sergeants and corporals were coming next Sunday, but I suppose we shall not spend another Sunday here; however, there is nothing to prevent our having our little meetings in the Crimea.

"I received your precious letter of the 15th on my return from a march into the country this afternoon. I thank God you are all well again. Thank you again for your deeply-valued prayers, and thank all those who have so remembered me. May such proofs of Christian love lead me in like manner to remember, when I kneel before the Lord, all my friends and acquaintances. The cholera has broken out at Athens, and several people have died; but, from accounts received to-day, it appears to be already subsiding.

"The French troops quartered here are anxiously expecting the arrival of the transports to take them on