The Lieutenant’s Burden

I am sure our dear soldiers like to read about their brave fellows who show the grand spirit they are of, not considering themselves, but thinking of others. Doubtless many there are who would be wearing the military cross or verse were their deeds known to the authorities, and had the same power to distribute to each one for his noble act. I wish to tell you of one such. G― is a young officer whose life God has spared when twice at least others were killed at his side. He got into the terrible zone of fire, two shells exploding at the back of his head. One knocked him sitting and nearly blinded him. He was thrown into the trench and fell on a bayonet firmly held in the hand of a dead British soldier who had two dead Germans lying on him. The bayonet ran into his thigh. When he recovered from the shock he got his wound tied up and then, what do you think he did? He carried a burden! He didn’t call it a burden. Oh, no, a glorious pleasure. He carried one of his own wounded soldiers for three miles to Fricourt, a place of safety. When I read of his act of courageous mercy I could not help thinking of our Lord and Master, who carried the burden of our sins in His own body on the cross, and offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin that we might be saved. Soldier, hare you thought of what Jesus, the Son of God, has done for you? Think now and read 1 Peter 2:24.
Emily P. Leakey