With Mercy and with Judgement, Strict Baptists and the First World War, by Matthew J Hyde, published by Gospel Standard Trust Publications, paperback, 552 pages, £13.00, obtainable from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom.
This is a large book, and these 552 pages are large pages. It has obviously involved a great deal of work; even the illustrations, of which there are a large number, must have required very considerable effort. The material used in the book has been largely taken from magazines circulating among Gospel Standard homes at the time.
The First World War, which was being fought out 100 years ago, was a grim affair – when defensive arms were so much further developed than offensive weapons – a solemn judgement from God, on nations that were largely determined to forget Him. As a result, generals saw no solution to the impasse that prevailed on the Western Front, in France and Belgium, except to send thousands of men out of the trenches to face the murderous fire being spewed out from the enemy’s guns.
Gospel Standard Pastor J K Popham of Brighton wrote eloquently, in words quoted immediately above the Introduction: “What pen will be able to describe the extent, the depth of the woe in which we are parties? Lands drenched with blood of men; rivers reddened with human gore and choked with corpses; cities and villages heaps of blackened stones and charred timber; the seas turned into graves for ships that floated as so many cities; widows and fatherless children numberless, whose hearts are throbbing with helpless, hopeless anguish; the financial world full of confusion, ruin, and misery; the world’s wealth wasted in the combatants’ fierce attempts to annihilate each other.”
The first main section is an “Overview” giving the historical background and dealing with such topics as “life in the forces” and the “impact within the home”. Much of the material is taken from letters and magazine articles describing the involvement of Strict Baptists in the War. A mother described
“the Lord’s goodness and preserving mercy” towards her son who was aboard ship when they saw an approaching submarine. “The captain told them nothing but a fog could save them; when, to their surprise, a dense fog came over them in three-and-a-half minutes, which lasted three-and-a-half hours.” No doubt we should see this as an answer to prayer, both on the ship and also by prayerful relations and friends at home. What is also remarkable is that, when the danger had passed, “the captain called them together on deck, and held a thanksgiving service for their deliverance”.
There follows a section of “Diaries and Memories”. Only some of the material in this section is spiritual, but the author has “taken the view that the preserving mercies of the Lord in keeping the souls of His people are set in their fullest glory against the contrast of those who lived the war in a careless, unregenerate state”. His further comment is solemnly striking: “It has been a surprise to me just how few men could tell of the experiences of war being blessed to the awakening of their soul, and a seeking of a Saviour”. Even the godly noted how difficult it was to maintain a spiritual frame of mind during a battle. But one soldier, among many, states after a dangerous few days at the front: “I feel at times that God has been very condescending and gracious. O that I might be given a grateful spirit, that I could thank Him as I ought.”
Another section consists of letters, not only from serving soldiers but also from family members and from pastors. One soldier’s widow wrote, “I do hope and trust this great sorrow will not be in vain. I want it to be for my soul’s good and I trust for His honour and glory; then I shall truly say it was good for me to have affliction. I love to think of my dear husband blessing and praising his Saviour, which he longed to do even in health and strength. In his last letter he said, ‘Seek more durable riches, that will never fade away’. His letters lately were so resigned to the Lord’s will, and how much he longed to love and please Him, but I see now quite plainly he was being prepared for a better world.”
A soldier drew attention to some “nice pieces” which had appeared in the magazine, The Little Gleaner: “One in particular I should like you to read: a letter found on a corporal killed on the Somme and addressed to his mother. If I felt I could honestly write as he did, many of my fears would be at rest. What a difference it must make to his parents’ feelings in their loss to know he has gone to a better place, where wars and partings are unknown. I do not want to go to God for grace just to satisfy my parents, and hope that my cry is for myself, and that my longing to be born again is a right one, and not prompted merely by the perils I am at present in.” He went on to express the wish that “we may not merely write on these things from head knowledge”.
An endnote identifies the corporal as Angus Cattanach (a Free Presbyterian from Kingussie)2.
A final section is entitled “War Poetry”. This is the least interesting part of the book, and many of the poems could have been omitted with little loss, in what is already a large volume.
That said, the reviewer enjoyed reading this very interesting book. Indeed it is worth reading to obtain a picture of what soldiers were suffering 100 years ago in that terrible war (and those referred to as serving in the armed forces are almost without exception soldiers). But the book gives light on their spiritual experiences and the experiences of those who lost loved ones in the conflict. For that reason especially, the book is to be warmly welcomed.