THE QUIET HOUR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 June 1924, Page 13

THE QUIET HOUR.

GREAT SOLDIERS. THEIR CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY AND EXPERIENCE. (Published by arrangement with the Hawera Ministers’ Association.) Though the desirability and even rightfulness of the adoption of the profession of arms by men of pronounced Christian character may be disputed, the fact is unquestionable that many military leaders of exceptional distinction have been men of exceptional Christian life and devotedness. The recent anniversary of Havelock’s death again recals this to memory. When dying the hero of the famous march to Lucknow’s relief, in 1857, declared that for forty years previously he had so striven to live that when he became confronted by death he should not be afraid to die —a .statement reminiscent of Paul’s magnificent departing words (2 Timothy iv: 6-8), and a fitting climax to a career of ardent Christian service amid the almost numberless militating influences of camp and barrack life. We are similarly reminded, too. of such devotion by thß Christian profession and thoroughness of General Feng. China’s present-day soldier leader.

Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener, the two most conspicuous figures in British military circles when the World War burst forth in 1914, were both possessed of deep-rooted faith in Jehovah and His Word. A little before his death, the former stated that for four decades —if not a longer period—the family altar had been the daily practice in his home. The latter, also, specially sought divine guidance ere the commencement of the onerous duties of the day, particularly in the troublous times of nine years ago; and in the early period of his career had rendered valuable assistance in Biblical research in connection with the Palestine Exploration Fund VICARS AND EDWARDES

In Britain’s previous military crisis six deeades before, the Crimean and Inidan Mutiny struggle, the same simple Abraham-like faith was again and again manifest. The name 'of Hedley Vicars immediately recurs. In his last letter home ere he died, leading his men to repel a Russian attack, he wrote: ‘Jesus is near, and very precious to my heart and soul,’ and the last sentence, it is believed, he ever wrote reads: ‘We walked together during the day, and exchanged our thoughts about Jesus.’ Similar was the favourite expression of another hero of that Crimean conflict. Major Vandeleur, ‘Christ is all/ and his dying words, ‘Jesus only, Jesus only.’ Atkin hereto the Christ-like life and repeated testimony of India’s great soldier and administrator of that period, Sir Herbert Edwardes. ‘I shall never forget his glorius countenance in speaking of Christ/ said a friend, visiting Edwardes in his last years. ‘lt seemed as though he would not let you go unless you shared with him in the hope which was the anchor of his soul.’

I Of Sir Hope Grant, another distinguished soldier of the same period, renowned for his achievements in India arid China, religious conviction, declared that his Christian faith influenced all that he did, his Maker always uppermost in his mind, confiding to Him his cares, troubles, and difficulties, and looking to Him always for a way out of these. Sir Hope’s ‘trust.,’ wrote Wolselev. ‘was indeed in God, and I very much doubt if any man, even Abraham himself, ever had a more complete faith in the Almighty.’ This testimony brings to mind the words of Sir Charles Napier, the hero of Meeanee, and Hyderabad, toward the end of his career. Never, said he, had religion or honour been sacrificed by him to success. ‘My success was acquired by a rigid adherence to both.’ Very similar in his belief in the divine verities was Sir George Colley, the unfortunate leader and victim in the South African disaster of Majuba Hill. The facts of his career exhibit an unshaken confidence in God, and a devoted pursuance of Christian ideals. Particularly words written by him but a little prior to his death, give the keynote of his inner life : Lord, ere I join the deadly strife And battlers terrors dare, First, I would render soul and life To Thine Almighty care, And when grim Death, in smokewreaths robed, Comes thundering o’er the scene What fear can reach a soldier’s heart Whose trust in Thee has been?

Kindred to this is another episode of active service in South Africa. Every morning, a British commander there retired for a brief period within his tent for prayer and meditation. No interruption was permitted until his special communion with the Most High was concluded. Suddenly one morning, the enemy appeared in force on the hills not far distant. It was, however, the general’s hour for divine intercourse ; and it is related that intimation of the possibility of an engagement with the foe had to be reserved until a signal outside the headquarter’s tent indicated that the commander was free for ordinary duties again. One name imperatively demands mention, General Gordon. No need to rehearse his exploits in China and Soudan. No need, too, to expatiate on his unostentatious hut devoted service for his divine Master, whether at home or abroad, His furloughs were often spent in quiet, unobtrusive efforts in little-known directions, seeking to help and save others. One night, when so assisting in a Manchester Ragged School and the lads had been more than usually obstreperous, the City missionary remarked that Gordon of" many for such work as his achievements in China. IV hat was the heroic, Christlike Gordon’s reply? ‘Mv dear fellow.’ said he. ‘if I can he the means of leading one of tliese lads to the Saviour’s feet. I shall esteem that the greatest trophy of my life, and to hear the Master say by-and-by. ‘lnasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of of these. My hrethern, ye have done it unto Me,’ will be to me an undying honour when all the mere honours ol earth have tarnished and faded away ’ — C.R.