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
"'How far we had gone I don't know, for the next I remember was that I
was in a field hospital. I could find no trace of my brave rescuer nor
his chum, and have heard nothing of them since. But he's a brave boy,
and if ever I chance to meet him again I'll ask his name, and the _War
Cry_ shall know it as soon as word can reach you.'"
The next story is one altogether different. I quote it from the United
Free Church of Scotland _Record_. It speaks for itself.
"It was a Sunday morning in Belgium. There had been a sharp
engagement, and the British troops holding a village had been
hurriedly forced by great masses of the enemy to retire. In the
confusion three Scottish privates and a corporal had been cut off in
the streets and had backed into the first open door they came to. The
occupants had fled, and they made their way up a long staircase,
intending to find the roof and watch events from there. But it ended
in an empty loft, where there was only a skylight beyond their reach.
"'Better lie low for a while,' suggested the corporal as they stood
listening to the terrible sounds outside. The Germans were evidently
burning, looting, and killing. Now and again they heard screams and
the discharge of rifles: sometimes an explosion would shake the
building, showing that houses were being blown up; while the smell of
burning wood penetrated to their retreat. This went on for hours. The
soldiers knew they would be discovered sooner or later, and expected
no mercy, as the enemy would be sure to invent some excuse for putting
them to death.
"Suddenly the corporal said: 'Lads, it's time for church parade: let's
hae a wee bit service here; it may be oor last.' The soldiers looked a
little astonished, but they piled their rifles in a corner and came
and stood at attention. The corporal took out a small Testament from
his breast pocket and turned over the pages.
"'Canna we sing something first? Try ye're hand at the 23rd Psalm.
Quiet noo--very quiet.'
"Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear none ill:
For thou art with me; and thy rod
And staff me comfort still."
"There wasn't much melody about the tune, but the words came from the
heart.
"Then the corporal began:
"'Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the
soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body
in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them
shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs
of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value
than many sparrows.'
"As he read there were loud shouts below: doors banged, and glass was
smashed. But he went on:
"'He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life
for my sake shall find it.'
"He ended, and his grave face took on a wry smile.
"'I'm no' a gude hand at this job,' he said, 'but we maun finish it
off. Let us pray.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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