More Gospels and prayer-books, and friendly words for
soldiers, and Christian mottoes! I thank God for that. The sight of
them cheers me. Perhaps it should not, but it does. They knew, at
least, of the Father's forgiving love, and in their better moments
must have thought thereof, otherwise these books would not be there
at such a time; and though it does not do to presume too much
thereon, who can set a limit to God's mercy? Who can say what
passed in those closing moments, while the life-blood was ebbing
away? Often in the field I think of Scott's dying soldier--

"Between the saddle and the ground,
He mercy sought and mercy found."

Oh, here's an officer I've been expecting to find. I knew he was
missing, for I especially asked. He had a presentiment amounting to
a preintimation of his coming end. In vain I argued with him. He
calmly gave me his last messages. I've known several such. "There
are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in our
philosophy." Thank God, when he said "the hour of my departure's
come," he was able to add, "I hear the voice that calls me _home_"
and "is the traveller sad," he asked, "when his face is turned
_homeward_?"

'Who's that you've got next? Oh, I know him well. We rejoiced
together. Come here, all of you, and look on his face. I'm not to
preach, boys--we have other work to do--but I wish you to lay his
case to heart. Some of you know him. You know the stand he took at
one of our meetings at the Modder River station, and what proof he
afterwards gave of the sincerity of his profession. Look at his
face. What a sweet, peaceful expression--what a contrast to his
surroundings! Death swift and sudden, in the horrid din of battle
stript of all its terrors. As earth's light faded he must have got
a glimpse of the glory beyond, for it's reflected in his face.
That's what Christ can do, and came to do, for a man.

'Sergeant, get some of the handiest of the men to break up these
empty ammunition-boxes and construct a rude cross for the trench.
It's the most appropriate "memorial." It signifies self-sacrifice,
and did they not, "obedient unto death," give their lives for
others; it indicates the cheering hope in which we lay them to
rest. By-and-by, we will erect something more permanent, and pla