Methinks I hear the Master's voice, "Well done, good and faithful
servant, inasmuch as ye did it to the least of these, ye did it
unto Me." Yes! Get these two groups together; we'll make a trench
midway. 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