World War, 1914-1918 -- War work -- Young Men's Christian Associations
During their stay in this hospital great changes have taken place in
many of these men. Here is Dan, a young chauffeur, a strong-willed,
self-sufficient young fellow who thought he needed no help and no
religion. He has a Christian wife at home to whom he has been untrue,
for the temptations of the war swept him off his feet like a flood. In
the meetings this week he turned to Christ and has been working right
and left bringing in others ever since. Beside him is a poor fellow
whom he has just brought to the meetings. He went on leave to England,
only to find his three children deserted by his wife, who had run away,
untrue to him. At last he found her, and brought her home. On his
return to the army, he finds that now he has to bear here in the
hospital the vicarious result of her fall. He came to me as a
non-Christian struggling with the problem of forgiveness. Could he
forgive her all this and his broken home? At last in Christ he found
the power to forgive and took up his heavy cross. He knelt at the
altar of the little chapel and yielded up his life to God. Tomorrow he
leaves the hospital to begin a new life.
Here is a young Australian who was untrue to his wife. When we first
saw him he was hardened by sin. That night he yielded to Christ. The
next Sunday we knelt beside him at the Lord's Supper. He was a new
man; his very face was changed. He said, "I have read of miracles in
the past, but there was never a greater miracle than the change which
has taken place in my heart and life. I am a new man. I can look any
one in the face today!"
Beside him at that communion table knelt a young gunner, "Joe," of the
Royal Field Artillery. He was a strong, red-cheeked six-footer,
winsome and good to look upon, the most popular man in his battery.
Away from home among bad companions he was swept off his feet and fell.
He has found Christ here among the prodigals in a far country. Before
leaving he came up to bid us good-by, saying, "I'm going out to warn
other men and to witness for Christ to the end of my days."
Here is M----, a young sergeant, who came up after the meeting, with
tears in his eyes. "Sir," he said, "I was never drunk but once in my
life, when my pals were home on leave, and that once, under the
influence of drink, I fell. Here I am in the hospital, yet I am
engaged to a little girl at home who is as white as snow. What is my
duty in the matter?" He has accepted Christ and is a changed man.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account