Immediately after one of the fiercest battles of the Civil War a
chaplain of one of the Federal regiments passed over the field
of conflict in the performance of his duty. He noticed among
the prostrate bodies one which moved, and quickly was at the
side of a dying soldier. Recognizing that the man had not long
to live, he at once proceeded to administer, but in rather a
formal manner, the consolations of religion. Kneeling at the
man’s side, he asked him to what church he belonged, and the
surprizing answer came, “The Church which God hath purchased
with His own blood.” “Oh, but that is not what I mean,” said the
minister, “what is your belief?” The mortally wounded disciple
replied, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He
is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against
that day.” “Oh,” said the chaplain, “but you do not understand
me--what is your persuasion?” The answer came from lips which
were quivering in the agonies of death, “I am persuaded that
neither death nor life shall be able to separate us from the
love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” and with these
words the soldier passed into the presence of Him who is the
Savior of all them that believe in Him.
(939)
=Estimating One’s Self=--See SELF-DEPRECIATION.