Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/175

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168
WINTER BEFORE SEBASTOPOL.

tion as they are now. God grant them to be numbered among His saints in glory everlasting.

"How glad shall I be to see the Soldiers' Missionary, Duncan Matheson! It will refresh and cheer my soul. Oh, that there were many more labourers in this harvest! Why are there not more Scripture readers sent out? They are grievously wanted here. I am so longing that every soldier, before he dies, should be told of Jesus, made acquainted with all He has done for him; for many, I fear, are grossly ignorant of the way of salvation. There are very few chaplains left in the Crimea now; even if they all returned in health, it would be impossible for them to reach half the spiritual wants of the army. A staff of Scripture readers would be invaluable to them — men who would devote themselves to their work night and day."

TO HIS YOUNGEST SISTER.

Dec. 21st, 1854.

" * * * How strange it seems to me now, the years when I lived without a 'Saviour near,' — a dark hideous blank! Thank God, darling Georgie, to your dying day, that you have been early brought to the 'feet of Jesus.' I am fully convinced that none have ever sinned more than I have against the God and Saviour who died to redeem me; but with my sins in clear remembrance, I am yet washed in 'the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness,' and 'looking unto Jesus,' I come 'boldly unto the throne of grace, that I may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in every time of need.'

"'Come boldly to the throne of grace,
With all your wants and fears ;
The Saviour's hand shall kindly chase
Away the bitterest tears.'

"And, trusting in the same kind and loving Sa-