The Story of a Peninsular Veteran: Sergeant in the Forty-Third Light Infantry, during the Peninsular WarAnonymous
History
The Story of a Peninsular Veteran: Sergeant in the Forty-Third Light Infantry, during the Peninsular War
Anonymous
Peninsular War, 1807-1814 -- Personal narratives, British
after, he asked, “Is faith enough for salvation?” “Yes,
sir,” said I, “if it be living faith.” “Methinks,” said he, “it
is so already; and it will be more so by and by: let us pray
for it.” Perceiving he was very weak, to give him some
rest, I retired into the next room; but he soon sent to call
me. I found him praying; and Jesus was all he prayed
for. I reminded him of some Scriptures, treating of faith
in Christ; and he was much delighted with them. Indeed
he was quite swallowed up with the grace of Jesus, and
would hear of nothing but “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”
He cried out, “I do not know how it is with me: I
208never in my life felt such, a change. I have power to love
Jesus, and to believe in Him whom I so long rejected. O
my Jesus, how merciful Thou art to me!” About noon
I stepped home; but he sent for me directly, so that I
could scarcely eat my dinner. We were both filled with joy,
as partakers of the same grace which is in Jesus Christ;
and that in such a manner as if we had been acquainted
for many years. Many officers of the army came to see
him continually, to all of whom he talked freely of Jesus,
of the grace of the Father in Him, and of the power of the
Holy Ghost through Him; wondering without ceasing at his
having found Jesus, and at the happy change, by which all
things on this side eternity were become indifferent to him.
‘In the afternoon he desired to partake of the Lord’s
supper, which he received with a melting, praising, and
rejoicing heart. All the rest of the day he continued in the
same state of soul. Towards evening he desired, that if
his end should approach, I would come to him, which I
promised; but he did not send for me till next morning. I
was told by his valet, that he slept well for some hours, and
then awaking, prayed for a considerable time, continually
mentioning the name of our Lord, and His precious blood;
and that he had desired several of the officers to make
known his conversion to his court, which was that of
Poland. After some discourse, I asked, “Has your view of
Christ and His redemption been either altered or obscured
since yesterday?” He answered, “Neither altered nor
obscured. I have no doubt, not even a remote one. It is
just the same with me, as if I had always thus believed and
never doubted: so gracious is the Lord Jesus to me a
sinner.” This second day he was unwearied in exercises of
faith and prayer. Towards evening he sent for me in haste.
When I came I found him dying, and in a kind of delirium;
so I could do no more than give him now and then a word
of comfort. I afterwards prayed for him, and those that
209were present, some of whom were of high, birth and rank.
I then, by imposition of hands, as usual, gave him a blessing;
which being done, he expired immediately. Prince
Xavier, who was there, could not forbear weeping. The
rest of the officers bewailed the loss of their general; yet
praised God for having shown such mercy towards him. I
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