Catherine Marsh

“ My heart is warmed with deepest feelings of gratitude and affection towards you, and never imagine that either time, or absence, or anything else will ever cause it to diminish: and what a blessing that the anchor of our love is firmly fixed beneath the cross of Christ, for such a friendship is sure and lasting, not merely held fast by the 'silver cord' of life, which may be snapped in a moment, but imbedded in the cleft of the rock for ever. ”

“ Very early in the morning of the day he left for London, he and his mother met for prayer. He knelt long by her side, pouring out his heart in pleading with God for her, that grace and strength might be given for every hour of need. Strengthened in spirit by that prayer, she was able, with his sisters, to accompany him as far as the station. The remembrance of his last embrace, his last look, his last blessing, enriches their hearts still, and makes the place of their parting seem almost holy ground. ”

“ God grant that both our hearts may he filled with Christ, and whilst 'with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,' may we 'be changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.' Looking unto Jesus' is after all, the grand secret for keeping alive a love for holiness in the heart, and a longing for a more constant and close communion with our Heavenly Father. ”

“ Paul says, 'My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.' It is of no use to complain of our wants, unless we go to have them supplied, and we should not only pray to be delivered from the temporal and eternal consequences of sin, but for power to burst asunder each remaining link of its fetters; for strength to fight against pride, vanity, anger, self-righteousness, and everything which we know to be contrary to the will of our blessed Redeemer ”

“ Would you mind asking your husband to make it known among his Christian friends that there is such a society? The men are very grateful for the great interest which is being taken in their eternal welfare. Who can say but that many a poor fellow, even after the whistling bullet has brought the summons, 'Prepare to meet thy God,' may be brought to 'look unto Jesus,' and thus be saved by a message of peace given him through those Testaments? ”

“ My heart aches when I look around upon most of those whose lot has been cast, like my own, in the army; for notwithstanding the war which is so close at hand, and m which we shall in all probability be engaged, how little change is visible in their walk and conversation! But in two cases I have great hopes — Captain ——— and one of our young Ensigns — in whose hearts I think the love of Christ finds a response. May they have strength to persevere unto the end! ”

“ A soldier needs to have Christ in his heart before the hour of battle, although we may hope and believe that to many (like the dying thief) the Son of Righteousness may arise 'with healing in his wings,' even after the swift bullet has brought the awful message, 'Behold, this night (or this hour) thy soul shall be required of thee.'
"I had such a heavenly joy yesterday and to-day, in conversing with a young bandsman, and a corporal whom I sent for, to my room. ”

“ I greatly like the little 'Soldier's Prayer.' Short, strong, and easy to be understood, it comprehends all that will fit us for heaven. Being a soldier, I take the liberty of using it myself. God grant they may all offer it from the ground of the heart. I have often hoard it said, 'The worse the man, the better the soldier!' Facts contradict this untruth. Were I ever, as leader of a forlorn hope allowed to select my men, it would be most certainly from among the soldiers of Christ, for who should fight 80 fearlessly and bravely as those to whom death presents no after terrors? ”

“ When I look within for proofs of my election and sanctification, I sometimes tremble: but the instant I lift up my eyes to Him whom God has given to be our righteousness, then my unbelieving fears vanish to the winds. Oh, that we could ever keep Jesus in our hearts and never let Him go.
In a letter of the same date to his youngest sister, the following remarkable passage occurs:
"Be assured you will feel far happier in this world even, by making religion your chief business and study, than by all the pleasures and gaieties which your young heart may now probably be longing after. ”

“ Every sight of the Queen's uniform called forth emotions of generous enthusiasm from all conditions of men and efforts were made by those who felt that higher interests were at stake than of this mortal life only, to carry the message of peace to men who were on the eve of being engaged in the horrors of war. ”

“ When we have, as we fondly hoped, been blessed by God in bringing a fellow-sinner into the fold of Christ, and when that often prayed-for and yearned-over one has given many proofs which both to ourselves and to the world in which he moves, appear decisive, it goes to the heart's quick to see or hear of such turning his back on an over-looking and long-suffering Saviour, and going once more hand in hand with his bitterest enemy. ”

“ The temptations in the wild roving life those poor fellows lead, must be strong. But we will unite our prayers for their recovery, and hope and believe (as I do still in the similar case of two or three of my soldiers) they will be attracted again to the cross of Jesus. We may conclude that when a soul has indeed tasted of its sweet comfort, that the pleasures which once satisfied, lose their charm, and appear but empty shadows, and, therefore, that it will find no rest until it return to the sinner's refuge. ”

“ Each returning day proclaims aloud in our ears, 'Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation,' bidding us never to despair, for while there is breath there is hope, but rather calling us to lay out ourselves afresh and begin the battle again. ”

“ When I hear of and see others wandering from the Good shepherd, I cannot help thinking to myself, 'And who art thou, that thou shouldst be preserved?' Surely there is no safety but in Jesus — in clinging to his cross. ”

“ May a great blessing attend the efforts which are being made to bring the poor benighted people of Ireland from the soul destroying errors of Popery to the simple 'truth as it is in Jesus.' How plain and easy to be understood is the plan of salvation: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.' Jesus Christ is the sinner's prophet, priest, and king ”

“ But dearest Clara, whilst I am so opposed to Popery (seeing, as I do, the working of the system in the army) , I bear no ill will to Romanists themselves. I should not be a Christian if I did; and I hope that II have no mere party feelings in this master, but rather that I am led to think as I do from the plain teaching of the Word of God. * * * * *
Events certainly are hastening rapidly, and the coming of the Son of man may be sooner than any of us expect it. Well, dearest sister, whatever may turn up, I think we can say nothing can hurt us. ”

“ I hesitated to go in, but she threw open the door and made me go in, I introduced myself to Mr. Goodhart, and he welcomed me most kindly. I found out what I wished to know about the Meeting, and wished him good night. I never saw the old woman in black again.
"I must conclude, as I have much to do. I have to go and see about my married soldiers' children. Warm love to all. Kiss my godchild for me. May the Lord Jesus be with you, and the Holy Spirit be poured upon you.
"Ever dearest Mary,
"Your devotedly attached brother,
"Hedley Vicars." ”

“ May your heart, dear friend, be ever warmed and gladdened by the bright sunshine of a Saviour's presence. You know (and every believer in Christ can testify to it) that there is no delight in this world equal to that which is felt when the Saviour is near. ”

“ I tell you candidly and seriously that I would willingly part with every earthly pleasure for life for one hour's communion with Jesus every day."
On the 29th of March he came from Windsor to meet us in London and return with us to Beckenham. On the evening of his arrival he addressed upwards of a hundred navvies, besides several of the young men of the village, at the reading-rooms. They were crowded to excess, and many more men surrounded the doors. He chose for his subject, "Prepare to meet thy God;" and no man on a dying bed could have spoken with greater solemnity and earnestness. ”

“ How pleasant is it not, after having been engaged in the work of heart-examination, to pause and behold the Lamb of God? I thank God that I can trace so distinctly His finger in my soul's conversion, and that it has been begun and is carried on entirely by Him alone. 'By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves ”

“ It is not so much, perhaps, fear for the souls of those poor erring men which causes us that sickness and weariness of heart; for we know that when a man sins 'he has an advocate with the Father, even Jesus Christ the righteous ”

“ He found time for the service of God, and for promoting the interests of His kingdom upon earth, without neglecting any of the last obligations of friendship before his final parting, and whilst occupied, almost from morning till night, in arranging and providing for the wives and children of the soldiers of the Light Company.
The order had come for the embarkation of his regiment on Friday in that week. The fulfilment of an old promise was now claimed by him, that we should meet him at the Waterloo Station, and cheer him with a last "God bless you!" there. ”

“ One of those letters will suffice here:
"Deptford, May 11th, 1854.
"Dear Lady — Last night I went to hear that blessed soldier and minister of Christ, Mr. Vicars, addressing the people at Beckenham, and I believe he was much admired by all his hearers; for my part, I never heard a man speak more like a humble, true follower of Christ than he did. But surely (as the words he dwelt much upon say) the love of Christ constraineth him. Oh that all our soldiers and sailors were as he is! Then our land would bring forth her increase, and God! even our own God, would give us his blessing ”