“Flee From the Wrath to Come.”
Oh! the absolute overwhelming need of prayer. Pray for the dear fellows who have stood between us and invasion for so many months. Their bravery has never been surpassed. We thank God for all the work for Him going on among the soldiers and even in the trenches themselves. Would to God these brave men were all Christians; many are we know and working hard for God among their fellows. I shall speak about this in “Incidents of the War.”
Sending Books and Testaments to the Front
We have been enabled through the kindness of friends to send four large packages and boxes to the Front. One friend to whom we sent writes: —
“The very valuable box of gospel literature reached me safely this morning. How can I sufficiently thank you for such a bountiful assortment of good seed? May the Lord bless you for your kindness, and the seed be scattered far and wide.
“It will mainly go to the Front this week and be given out in the fighting line where the men are very eager for such books. Some will go to Holland.
“I was on the point of writing to you last week, asking if you could send help again, when your welcome letter came and rejoiced my heart.”
On Board a Torpedo Boat
I sent a parcel of books to a dear Christian on board one of our torpedo boats in the North Sea. He writes saying: ―
“Many thanks for the parcel of books and tracts which arrived safely. A splendid opportunity occurred last Sunday evening for distribution, and the occasion enabled me to find out three other believers amongst the various ships, and we met together in prayer and meditation over the Scriptures.
“In distributing the little booklets amongst the men, they were in most cases well received, but one or two declined and one has noticed that those who declined were not ignorant of the way of salvation, as conversations with them afterwards proved. One told me he would have only torn it up and thrown it on the fire; another man spoken to replied not yet awhile.’ It was pointed out to him that God’s time was now, and that perhaps this was the last opportunity as we might be sent to the bottom of the sea any moment. The conversation has caused him to think, judging by his manner. May the Spirit of God work a work to the glory of God in the man’s soul.
“Our crew numbers thirty-six, and many opportunities have been afforded me to speak a word in season during the present time, but no visible result has appeared; however, eternity alone will reveal what has been accomplished. In the meantime we are encouraged to go on with the divine command: ‘In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand,’ and we know that God’s word will not return to Him void.
“When the stock of books has been exhausted I will write for more. In conclusion I ‘would ask for your fellowship in prayer that the precious Word which goes forth amongst the men of both services, may bring glory to God in the salvation of precious souls for His Name’s sake.
“I remain,
“Yours in His service, “J― C―.”
I am sure you will pray that God will bless him. If any of my readers know any Christian men on board our men-of-war, or at the Front will they kindly send me the names and full addresses and I will send them parcels of books and portions of the Word of God at once.
I have had many parcels of books sent me and they are being distributed far and wide. Every Sunday at the Palladium a packet is given to all the soldiers who come.
I have had many very encouraging letters. One dear brother writes with his gift: “I am glad to know you are sending Bibles and gospel tracts to the soldiers engaged in this terrible war. May our God in His rich mercy bless the reading of them for His glory and blessing to many souls. God has His own purpose in permitting this terrible war, and when He sees fit He can stop it any moment. Our place is to be on our knees before Him, for His will to be done, and the glory of His beloved Son. I should like to render a little help.”
Another says: “I enclose― for tracts or books for the soldiers at home or the Front. Accept it for His Name and mercy’s sake.”
S.B. Encloses a gift, and says: “I was much cheered by the nice account in the Message of the work amongst the dear men. It is sweet to know that many of the dear ones will go home to the Father’s House from those terrible scenes of bloodshed and horror. I enclose―. I shall be grateful if you will spend it for gospel booklets for those at the Front as needs be.”
But I cannot quote any more now. I do thank all dear friends with all my heart for the help they are giving. It is a labor of love to me to send the books out. I want at least one thousand Messages from God, each month as they are published, and back numbers of Message or any other gospel books are much valued.
The more I get the more I can send, and the need was never greater than it is now.