The Oasis of God

“Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst.”
There had been a sharp engagement, and the British troops holding a village had been hurriedly forced by great masses of the enemy to retire. In the confusion three Scottish privates and a corporal were cut off in the streets, so they backed into the first open door they came to. The occupants had fled, and they made their way up a long staircase, intending to find the roof and watch events from there. But it ended in an empty loft, where there was only a skylight beyond their reach. “Better lie low for a while,” suggested the corporal as they stood listening to the terrible sounds outside. The Germans were evidently burning, looting and killing. Now and again they heard screams and the discharge of rifles; sometimes an explosion would shake the building; while the smell of burning wood penetrated to their retreat. This went on for hours. The soldiers knew they would be discovered sooner or later, and expected no mercy.
Suddenly the corporal said: “Lads, it’s time for church parade; let’s hae a wee bit service here; it may be oor last.” The soldiers looked a little astonished, but they piled their rifles in a corner, and came and stood at attention. The corporal took out a small Testament from his breast pocket and turned over the pages. “Canna we sing something first? Try ye’re hand at the twenty-third Psalm. Quiet noo — very quiet.”
“Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear none ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.”
There wasn’t much melody about the tune, but the words came from the heart.