CHAPTER X.

HOSPITAL WORK.


Our last chapter left us in hospital world at Cairo. A portion of the
freedmen's camp of three thousand the officers proposed to remove to
Island No. 10, and wished me to take most of my supplies to that
place. While waiting for their arrival I visited the United States
Hospital at Mound City, a few miles up the Ohio River. Here, too, were
dying soldiers, one of whom especially attracted my attention, as he
was perfectly sane and rather unusually intelligent. I immediately
addressed him: "My son, are you prepared to go hence?"

"Mother," he said, "that is a matter which I ought to have attended to
long ago, but I did not, and now it is too late! I am dying."

"Oh, do not say _too late_! Remember the condition is, '_Believe_ and
thou _shalt be saved_;' 'As thou hast _believed_, so shall it be unto
thee.' These are the sure promises of our merciful Redeemer. Remember
the thief on the cross looked at him with repenting spirit and living
faith, and said, 'Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy
kingdom;' and the quick reply was, 'This day thou shalt be with me in
Paradise.' Can you not trust such a Redeemer?--such a loving Father as
is our God, who saves to the uttermost all who ask with believing
hearts?" He firmly held my hand and said, "I will try."