(from the Christian Treasury — 1868. The story appears to be translated from the German language)
A soldier, who greatly loved the Lord Jesus, related to me somewhat of his former life, which had been an eventful one. Much did he tell me of hairbreadth escapes, of adventures both by sea and land; but of these I will not speak now, but will tell you how he came to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus; and I pray Him that the story of his conversion may be blessed to some soul here.
He was above thirty years of age at the time of my acquaintance with him. “I have,” said he, “been ten years a soldier, and have marched with my regiment through the whole of Hanover, have crossed the border, and have fought in Schleswig-Holstein. I have lived in cities, in towns, and in villages, and am well acquainted with both land and people. I have marched on foot, and have travelled by rail; I have lived in plenty, and suffered want; I have danced in ballrooms, and sighed in hospitals. Owing to a naturally amiable disposition, I was a favourite with both officers and men; and wherever our regiment was quartered, I made myself friendly with the people. If I had been asked what religion I professed, I should have called myself a Christian; but alas! of Christianity I knew nothing. I went, indeed, to church on certain occasions; but whether it was that our officers always remained standing outside while we attended divine service, or whether it was the preacher’s fault, I know not; but of Christianity and of Christ I learned nothing. My religion consisted in this — that it was a disgrace to steal and a duty to be obedient to one’s superiors. I did not know that it was the greatest sin of all for a man to live without God, for a Christian to live without Christ. I had no Bible, I could not pray; and never, in the whole course of my experience, had I heard the sound of prayer or the singing of psalms, but in the church, where I joined in neither. It seems strange to me now that, in this godless state, I committed no gross sins or crimes. The reason may be, that I prided myself on being an orderly and well-living man. Yet I felt a want, an unsatisfied longing — for what I knew not.”
“Once when, on the King’s birthday, our regimental band played the Chorale, ‘Now all thank God,’ tears filled my eyes — I knew not for what. How dreadful,” said he, “to think of living for thirty years in Protestant Germany, to serve in a Christian army, to live in Christian towns and villages and yet never, during all that time, to hear anything of God or of Christ!”
“One day I came to a village, where we were to rest eight days, and it fell to my lot to be quartered with a farmer. He received me very kindly; and, after showing me the room he had assigned to me, asked whether I would dine alone, or with his family. I replied, that I preferred doing the latter; and he led me into a room, where the family and a number of farm servants were sitting at table. But how astonished was I when after dinner was served all rose and stood, with the greatest reverence, while the father, with devout voice, began: ‘All eyes writ upon Thee, Lord, and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing!’ Then followed the Lord’s Prayer, and the conclusion of Luther’s blessing before food, and the words, ‘may God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, bless this food to us. Amen!’ All, even the youngest children, stood reverently with folded hands; and one could see that they prayed inwardly. I had stood also, out of courtesy, but I trembled from inward emotion. I ate but little, and the farmer thinking that my want of appetite was from bashfulness, pressed me kindly to take more food. When all were finished — and a right joyful meal had it been — all stood as at the first; and the father said: ‘O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good for his mercy endureth for ever,’ and so on to the end of the Psalm. Then all shook hands kindly and heartily, and gave one another the usual salutation ‘Gesegnete Mahlzeit,’ and all went away, the children to school, the servants to their work.”
“Quiet and thoughtful, I had seated myself in a corner of the room, when the youngest child, a boy of three years, came and climbing up to my knee, looked up in my face, and with winning frankness, said, ‘Tell me about the dear Saviour?’ I began, in my confusion, to tell him of sheep and of goats, of dogs and of horses; for of the dear Saviour I knew nothing. This amused him for a while, but he soon renewed his petition that I should tell him about the Saviour, and I was obliged to confess that I knew nothing of Him. ‘And you so big,’ said the child, ‘and know nothing about the Saviour! Then you cannot go to heaven.’ It was true indeed that I had never thought of heaven, but to hear my condemnation from the lips of a child, the thought was too dreadful! I went out and visited my comrades in the village, still I could not shake off my uneasiness, and I determined to let supper-time pass before going home.”
“At nine o’clock I returned. Supper was over, but a portion was kept for me. I began to eat, when the youngest child who was just going to bed, ran up to me, and said, ‘First pray, then eat!’ This was a new and sorer thrust. I could not pray, but the child clasped his hands, and prayed for me: ‘Come Lord Jesus, be our Guest, and bless what thou hast prepared. Amen.’ ‘So pray,’ said the child, and ran off to bed. I sat overpowered with emotion. The servants entered, and family worship was made. First singing—such singing as thrilled my heart, then a chapter of the Bible was read, and a difficult passage here and there was explained. Prayer followed, in which forgiveness of sins, the anointing of the Holy Ghost, and the protection of God’s holy angel against the wiles of Satan were sought. All seemed like a dream to me. I dared not open my eyes, and yet I felt glad at heart. There followed kind good-nights, and each left the room with his Bible. The farmer and his wife remained to read a chapter for themselves, and he seeing me, reached me a Bible—’If perhaps, I would like to read a few more of God’s blessed words.’ I thanked him, read a few words, of which I understood nothing and retired; but before going to bed, I kneeled down and prayed: God, Thou God of this house be my God also.”
“The next day was a decisive one for me. All went to church except one, who remained, as they expressed it, to keep watch at home; and that day I heard a God’s service which I shall never forget. Since then I have lived a new life, and I now love the Lord Jesus with my whole heart, and know and rejoice that I shall go to heaven.”
Is it not strange that this soldier should have lived so long in a Christian land, should have dwelt in Christian houses, and have seen no indication of the Saviour’s presence till he came to this farmer’s house, and found Him there? Had he come into your house, would he have found the Saviour with you? Does the light stand with you on the candlestick, or under a bushel? From henceforth make this covenant with you and your family: “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”