k
you, sir, we have only one blanket between us." "Come on, then, the
three of you." Then the invitation was accepted, and didn't they
smile as I served them with hot coffee! Mr. Hide's tent (he is at
Durban) I lent to a major and a captain.
'The water ran like a river through our camp, so heavy was the
rainfall. I kept lights in our marquee all night, and toddled out
and in to see all was right. I was not out of my clothes all night,
but my lot was a happy one compared with those dear lads--they have
not been out of their clothes for months, and have never had a tent
to cover them. This morning, as they left, the gratitude of both
officers and men was so intense that I had to clear off the
scene--could not stand it. It has rained in torrents to-day. Got
wet through. Had splendid meeting to-night. Sure there was definite
working of the Holy Spirit. The Rev. James Gray, who gave the
address, has been a great help to us.'[13]
Among the men of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who subsequently lost so
heavily at Spion Kop, there were many conversions. And among the naval
men there were many grand Christians, who were delighted to avail
themselves of the privileges and opportunities which the tent supplied.
The chaplains were, of course, at the front with the men, or as near the
front as they could get, sharing their fatigues and many of their
dangers.
[Footnote 13: _News from the Front_, May, 1900.]
=A Bit of Christian Comradeship.=
Differences of denomination were for the most part forgotten, and the
Rev. Mr. Gedge, the Church of England chaplain, and the Rev. T.H.
Wainman, the Wesleyan, were the best of friends and comrades. Mr. Gedge
soon became a power for good. His tent meetings were crowded, and his
preaching told with great effect, many being brought to Christ. His
open-air work was splendidly done. Here is a delightful bit of Christian
comradeship, which we wish we could see oftener repeated in this
country. The Rev. T.H. Wainman writes:--
'After watching the men who were formed for guard duties, etc., for
some time, I noticed Major Gedge, the Church of England army
chaplain, and several Army and Navy League workers come along,
evidently intent on holding a voluntary service. I joined them, and
helped in the singing of half a dozen hymns, which by this time had
brought together a large number of the sol
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