Catherine Marsh

“ But it was not for any length of time that the Master, who loved him, left his faithful servant to walk in darkness, and have no light, or at best with but a twilight glimmering from that Sun of Righteousness, who was about to rise again and shine upon his soul with healing in his wings, and scarcely to withdraw Himself any more, until the everlasting day broke, and the shadows of death fled away. ”

“ Morning and evening the dead-cart leaves the hospital for the grave-yard. It is all very sad and solemn, but 'there is a silver lining to the darkest cloud.' I believe that to many this dread visitation of the Almighty has taught a lesson which I trust and hope never will be forgotten. Alas! that so few have the comfort of religion, the knowledge of Jesus Christ! With some of my brother officers I have lately had most earnest conversations, and they have promised to come to my room that we may read the Bible together. ”

“ The cholera has been raging here. For some time it was with the French alone; but the day before yesterday we lost one man, and since then, nine have been carried off by it. O, dearest friends, pray that this fearful visitation may be the means of awakening solemn thoughts in the stoutest hearts amongst my thoughtless comrades, and leading them for pardon, peace, and safety to Jesus the Saviour of sinners. Do not be alarmed for me. Remember God's delight in answering prayer, and surely no man has such praying friends as I have. ”

“ With David I can say, 'My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, in a dry and thirsty land where no water is.' But you have taught me not to be selfishly engrossed with my own spirit, but to seek to have my soul drawn out to the hungry, to seek diligently after wandering sheep; and the deeper one's anxiety the deeper one's interest and delight in the work. ”

“ But we will hope better things, dearest friend, for the men of my poor regiment, and continue to pray that the Dayspring from on high, which hath visited us, by the free grace and mercy of God, may be shed abroad over them all, 'to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to guide their feet into the way of peace.' God grant it, for Jesus Christ's sake. ”

“ No man could be so keenly alive to spiritual joy without an equally exquisite susceptibility to spiritual suffering. "Where you find your greatest pleasures," said an old Divine, "there expect your deepest sorrows." Yet how different are these from "the sorrow of the world which worketh death."
In a letter, written early in October, Hedley Vicars thus expresses himself:
"You seem to know my state by intuition, and never fail to speak comfort to my heart and soul by your letters. ”

“ Our Scripture-reading and Prayer-meeting at the hospital are still well attended. I always feel refreshed and strengthened myself, whilst talking of Jesus to others. Surely there is no subject so delightful to a sinner as 'Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.' God grant that his love may lead many — all in my regiment — to take up their Cross, and follow Him. I daily find Him to be more lovely and precious to my own soul. What I want now, whilst I have the opportunity, is, to make others as happy as myself ”

“ God alone knows whether we shall ever meet again in this world; but, after all, what are the few short years we might have lived in the enjoyment of each other's friendship, here, compared to that endless eternity we shall spend together beyond the grave? ”

“ When one has reason to suspect the sincerity of a man who professes faith in Jesus, then, still keeping before his eyes the cross of Christ to prevent despair, probe and search him deeply, and endeavour to make him examine himself; but never open a wound without instantly giving the remedy. There are hypocrites in the world, we all know — men who, while they talk with earnestness of their love to the Saviour, yet virtually crucify Him in their lives ”

“ But just now, Sir, I had a visit from a gentleman, who laid to me, with a loud voice and harsh tone, "Now, are you sure you have repented of your sins? Are you certain you are not deceiving yourself?"' Now, is not this worse than useless, when a man has given clear evidence of repentance and living faith? ”

“ But I never enter into discussion without first seeking the light and aid of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me, so that every word may be according to 'the mind of Christ' — 'speaking the truth in love.' To men of my own age, I can now speak more boldly than I could a little while ago. ”

“ As all the officers, excepting myself and two others have been ill either with fever or modified cholera, I have regularly gone to read with them; and all are kind, whilst many seem cordially to desire more of it. In one or two cases, from what I knew of the men when well, I thought the subject of Christ crucified might not be liked; but it was just contrary! The very fellows whom I had most fear about speaking to were those who listened most attentively and seemed to be the most interested.
"In my own soul I have enjoyed a peaceful happy time leaning on Jesus. ”

“ There are wounded men who have souls to be saved, and dying men to be told to 'look to Jesus;' not to speak of the comfort to a poor soldier of having a 'friend in need.' Of this I am sure, that the private soldiers are most grateful for any kindness from an officer, especially when they are sick and in hospital, and they think and talk much of officers who thus visit them, and endeavour to cheer them in their dreary wards. ”

“ A hard struggle it will be at first but ere long he will find his Saviour's words to be true, 'My yoke is easy and my burden is light.'
" * * * Often do I join you in spirit at your cottage reading and sacred prayer meetings. What happy hours are those when, shut out from all that makes the world unlovely, we can enjoy uninterrupted communion with the Lord's people! it is so refreshing to know that Jesus is precious to other souls. The Christian does not want a monopoly of that love. There is enough and to spare for all. ”

“ The Piræus is surrounded by hills, the slopes of which are thickly studded with the tents of the French; indeed they appear to be everywhere. They have a guard at the entrance of the harbor, and several outposts in the town. * * * I thank God that, notwithstanding many obstacles in various ways, He has given me the power to keep near to Jesus; indeed, I feel more than ever the comfort of religion. Pray for me, dearest mother, that I may be keep faithful unto the end. This is indeed a poor world without Christ. ”

“ And if this is the case when we are strong and healthy, how much more so, when sick or dying! Men often talk with unconcern of a dying bed, when they think it distant, and refuse to 'give way to weakness,' as they call it, by thinking of it in time; but it is seldom the dream continues to the end; and when the reality flashes upon them, it is sometimes too late! Although even at the very last, Jesus is ready to save, yet not a few give up all as lost, and die in despair. ”

“ I want to persuade all the men of my regiment that nothing would ever give me greater pleasure than to read and pray with them, at any hour, day or night, when any of them are ill and dying, if they would only send an orderly to let me know. ”

“ It is sad to think what harm even well-intentioned people may do by wandering away from the cross in their dealings with sick men. I remember I used often to visit at Halifax a Corporal Craney, of the 42d Highlanders, who was left behind in Hospital when his regiment went away. One evening when I went to see him, he said to me, 'I am so glad you are come. Sir, for you always speak to me of Him of whom I love to hear, even Jesus my precious Saviour. ”

“ In exchange for fleeting pleasures now, I have hopes of lasting joys, which mortal eye hath never seen, nor ear heard of, nor heart can conceive, I have been brought into friendship with God, through the merits and precious bloodshedding of my Redeemer and the influence of the Holy Ghost. ”

“ Part of the service was generally read on Sunday, by the officers to the men of their companies; and the officers, in rotation, took the duty, morning and evening of burying the dead, which sometimes, of our English regiment only, exceeded ten daily. Hedley Vicars undertook this duty several times for others, and seldom, if ever, performed it without adding a few earnest words to the men present. Soon after the sickness broke out he used regularly to visit the hospitals, reading and praying with the dying men, and taking every opportunity of speaking of the 'one thing needful' to others. ”

“ Decision and courage at first are absolutely necessary for an officer who wishes to become a soldier of the cross. Without such he will have endless difficulties and trials, and will have no peace given him by those who oppose, until he returns to the allegiance of the god of this world, or else fearlessly shows his colours. ”

“ I had very strong faith that God would spare her precious life, and restore her to health. May every answer to our prayers make us, in dependence upon Christ, wrestle the more earnestly in every fresh petition, especially for heavenly blessings upon our souls. ”

“ Paul, often in the agony of my soul am I forced to cry out, 'Oh, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?' Yet with whom also I can say, 'I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.' * * *
"We are quartered here with the French, who have upwards of 4,000 men. They are in tents; we are now in barracks. The weather is very hot, and the climate bad. We are now in quarantine, as the cholera has broken out amongst the French. They have lost two officers and one hundred men. We have not lost a man ”

“ Every time I went he told me how glad he was of it. I write a line by every mail now to tell you of my safety. I am enjoying great peace of soul, resting on Jesus, on him alone."
"Piræus, August 21st, 22d.
"No one can fancy in England what the arrival of the mail is here, nor the power of letters like yours to cheer one's heart when all around is gloom and death. Your letters arid your prayers have nerved me to do many things which otherwise I should not perhaps have attempted. I feel that lean never tell you what a blessing God has made you to me in every way. ”

“ For me the Saviour died.'
"I intend to carry constantly about with me a Testament, my little hymn-book, that precious little Book of Psalms you gave me, and also your last gift, which I have found such a feast to my soul, 'Hawker's Morning Portion.' I think with these I can get on very well in the Crimea. I had a large meeting of officers in my room for prayer last Sunday afternoon. A number of the sergeants and corporals were coming next Sunday, but I suppose we shall not spend another Sunday here; however, there is nothing to prevent our having our little meetings in the Crimea. ”

“ Baptismal regeneration, church privileges, the sacramental system, confession, and priestly absolution may do for some people when in health, but no smile of joy from a sick man, I believe would ever be the fruit of such miserable comforters in the last hour. ”

“ However, I offered up a prayer over his bed, the men taking off their caps, and joining in, as well as they could follow me. He died soon afterwards.
"Sergeant Jackson was brought into hospital at eleven o'clock this morning; he was a man I knew very well — much liked amongst the officers. I went twice to-night to see him. The second time his bed was empty. One hundred and eighteen are now dead; all men in the prime and vigour of manhood, except a few lads.
"The French are still dying in great numbers every day. They have lost 700 men and five officers, out of their small force in Greece. ”

“ O, for a single eye to the glory of Jesus, that every act might spring from the motive of pure and unfeigned love to him! But beneath the cross we are, thank God, safe and secure. He will carry on the work He alone has begun in our hearts, even until the day of Jesus Christ. God bless you all, exceeding abundantly above all I can ask or think."
On board the Orinoco, Mediterranean, May 31st.
" * * * The day we left the Bay of Gibraltar the secret of our destination was divulged. We are to form part of an Anglo-French force in Greece, for the purpose of bringing King Otho to his senses. ”

“ Twenty-seven have died in seven days. I am quite well, thank God, although in low spirits. How can it be otherwise, seeing so many for whom I had a regard cut off thus suddenly? Several of the officers of my regiment have been ill with fever. They have been mercifully spared from cholera hitherto.
"Do you remember poor young Reynolds, the soldier whom you noticed particularly when you gave the hymn-books to the men at Kensington Barracks, and those kind words of parting counsel which they have never forgotten? ”

“ I have taken the duty of burying the dead several times out of my turn, as some of the officers have rather an objection to it, and I have been enabled to speak to the men after the service. They endeavour to join me in prayer very earnestly around those open graves. ”