2. Saved

Five years after the above events, J. D. was stationed at Aldershot still unsaved, and still unhappy. Time had not effaced the memory of the hospital at Fyzabad, and the voice of the dying Christian still sounded in his ears. He constantly attended the barrack church, but could get no peace; indeed, he could not understand much that he heard.
One Sunday morning he asked himself, as he marched to church as usual with his company, “Of what use is all this church-going to me? I get no peace; I am not saved. In spite of all my efforts and my prayers, I seem as far off as ever.” He entered and took his seat. The usual service began; the prayers were finished, and the sermon commenced. But J. D. neither saw nor heard! He had opened his Bible carelessly enough, thinking that, since he could not understand the service, perhaps he might get more good if he read a chapter to himself. His eye rested on the first chapter of John, the 11th and 12th verses: “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” He thought of the hatred of the Jews, of their crucifixion of Christ,, and he read on: “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on His name.”
It was enough. Church, preacher, and congregation were all forgotten as the newborn soul drew the first breath of that life that was never more to end; and peace—perfect peace—filled the soul of J. D. at last. He saw it all! The scales dropped from his eyes; He believed on His name; he was a child of God; he had received. Christ Jesus, the Lord—nay, more, that Lord had Himself spoken peace to his soul as he sat spellbound in his pew. Only when he heard the men rise and begin to move out of the church did J. D. remember where he was. Oh! what joy now followed the newfound peace! He longed to tell every one of his new treasure. It seemed too long to wait to get to the barrack room; but, once there, he could keep it in no longer and to about twenty-five of his comrades he explained, with a glowing heart, the glories of that scripture which had pierced his heart—of that gospel which had filled his soul with joy, and called him out of darkness into God’s marvelous light. He preached unto them Jesus. Many said he was mad, poor fellow! Some mocked; others would hear him again. J. D. heeded not the jeers or the scorn; he had found what he had sought for five long years—Jesus, his Saviour.
It is now ten years since the above events happened. Many a trial has followed, but J. D. still walks with His Lord, and He with him. May God bless this simple record to some weary soul, for His name’s sake. Amen
A. T. S.