Catherine Marsh

“ Four or five of my brother officers attend Dr Twining's Bible-class. One of them has, I trust, been truly converted. He was, like myself, about the last in the regiment one would ever have thought likely to become religious; but God's ways are not as our ways, or his thoughts as our thoughts. I trust his example may do much good. It is grievous to see how little regard men pay to the salvation of their never-dying souls. But I must ever remember that I was once like them, and worse; and that it is only through the grace of God that I am now different. ”

“ It may truly be said of me, 'Is not this a brand plucked from the burning?' I now see the direful effect of a long coutinuance in evil, for sin has had for such a length of time so entire a dominion over me, that I find it hard to fight against it, and often think I must be worse than any one else. If the Holy Spirit did not help me, I never could have made even the little progress in religion that I have made. ”

“ Oh, that I could persuade you to enrol yourself with me on the side of Jesus Christ!
"As Newton says, I know what the world can do, and what it cannot do.' It cannot give or take away that peace of God which passeth all understanding. It cannot soothe the wounded conscience, nor enable us to meet death with comfort. I have tried both services. For twenty-four years have I lived under the thraldom of sin, led by the devil. None need despair of being welcomed by the Saviour when he has pardoned and brought to repentance such a sinner as I have been. ”

“ I have long perceived in my beloved young friend a rapid ripening for glory. This was evident in his entire devotion of soul to the Saviour, whom he Loved, and that intimate knowledge of the length, and breadth, and depth of the love of Christ which he possessed, it seemed to me, in an increased and increasing degree every time I heard from him. Our short-sighted eyes might see many reasons why lie should be continued in a sphere of usefulness which he so eminently filled and adorned ”

“ You know, my dear madam, that a certain degree of religion is considered by the world to be decorous and proper, but there is nothing so much dreaded as being 'righteous overmuch.' It is quite impossible for a Christian to comply with the maxims and customs of a world which 'Lieth in wickedness;' but my beloved friend was strengthened to bear a consistent testimony to the truth, to take up his cross and follow Jesus. ”

“ I have found comparatively little trouble in giving up external sins, but the innate sin of my heart, oh, how great it is! It is here the real battle must be fought, and the more humbling is the sense of our vileness, the more we shall feel the need and value of a Saviour. We all have our temptations, and in scarcely any profession could they more beset the Christian beginner, than in the army. ”

“ I trust I am beginning to see and feel the folly and vanity of the world and all its pleasures, and that I have at length entered the strait gate, and am travelling the narrow road that leadeth unto eternal life. ”

“ Only let us feel that we are unable of ourselves to resist evil, or to do anything good: lot us look to Christ, and trust in Him alone, and take up our cross, and follow Him. We must give up the pleasures of the world for they unfit us for spiritual meditation: and although they may be hard to part with, as a right eye or right hand, there is no alternative, if we wish to grow in grace. ”

“ Summer has begun to change the face of nature, and everything is looking green and lovely. I took a delightful walk into the country yesterday evening — the first time I ever enjoyed the blessed sense of communion with God. ”

“ I must be prepared to meet with much discouragement from ignorance and hardness of heart, but I will endeavour to do my duty and leave the issue to God, remembering the words, 'Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but it is God alone who giveth the increase. ”

“ I am sorry to say that poor Lieutenant J— is in a very precarious state; even if he recovers, he will never have the use of his leg. I go sometimes to sit with him, and endeavour to bring to his mind the things which belong to his everlasting peace. ”

“ We learn, from a letter recently quoted, [2] that from this time his conversion grew daily more deeply spiritual, and that he lost no opportunity of attending every public service in Dr. Twining's church, and his Bible Classes tor officers, soldiers, and those in hospital. His rapid growth in knowledge and grace is mainly attributed to the instruction and profit gained at these classes, by a senior officer in the 97th, whose friendship he deeply valued. ”