With Our Fighting Men: The story of their faith, courage, endurance in the Great War — John Shaqi
With Our Fighting Men: The story of their faith, courage, endurance in the Great WarSellers, William E.
History
With Our Fighting Men: The story of their faith, courage, endurance in the Great War
Sellers, William E.
Great Britain. Army -- Military life; World War, 1914-1918 -- Religious aspects
Mr. Hall also tells of a graceful act of kindness on the part of the
Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Diocese. In company with Father
Bradley and the Church of England chaplain, he waited upon the
Archbishop to ask permission to hold Protestant services in the small
but beautiful Roman Catholic church. The Archbishop received them most
kindly and readily gave consent. By the by, Mr. Hall pays a beautiful
tribute to that same Roman Catholic chaplain whose tent he
shared--Father Bradley. He says: "I never met a more gentle and
refined Christian character. His one thought was to serve others, and
he cared nothing for his own discomfort as long as he was helping
someone else." When they parted--for Father Bradley was the first to
go to the front--the Father's last words were, "Hall, don't forget to
pray for me, underneath and round about both of us are the Everlasting
Arms."
Differing as we do so much from the Roman Catholic Church, it is a
pleasure to record this testimony.
The services in the Roman Catholic church were conducted by the Church
of England chaplain and Mr. Hall. They were united services, for in
face of danger and death all are one in Christ Jesus.
The services were fruitful in results as such services must always be.
Not only did large numbers attend, but doubtless the Great Day will
declare that many received the pardon of sin.
"Padre, did you see me at the service last night?" asked one young
officer of Mr. Hall.
"I did."
"Well, do you know that is the first _voluntary_ service I ever
remember attending, and I have made up my mind that from to-day God
shall have the first place in my life?" A fortnight after he said, "I
thank God that I have been a new man since that day I spoke to you."
That is it--"a new man." God is making "new men" by the hundred, if
not by the thousand, in France and Belgium, and the chaplains are
reverently looking on and praising Him.
The Rev. W.H. Sarchet tells quite a different, but not less striking,
class of story. It is his privilege to record an old-fashioned
"Revival" at the fighting base. Mr. Sarchet has seen much work among
soldiers and sailors. For eight years he was Wesleyan chaplain at
Gibraltar; for another seven he was chaplain at Devonport; for the
last four he has served in the same capacity at Portsmouth, having
charge of the Duchess of Albany's Soldiers' and Sailors' Home there,
and the services in the Town Hall.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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