Z A V THE SOLDIER'S TEXT-BOOK. Soldiers ! I have compiled for your use this small "Pocket Companion,'* consisting of a few Texts selected from the Word of God. The music of the old Sabbath bell of your city or village sanctuaries is now strange to you. But these glorious Bible- truths, like the stars of heaven, shine with an unchanged and eternal luster in all climes. They can prove messengers of peace and consolation in the hospital- ward or in the bivouac, as well as ainid the homes of your happy fatherland. Under the words (as a motto-verse) ot an old soldier and warrior-king, who lived 3000 years ago, I have placed a verso for meditation, Morning and Evening. These, by the blessing of God, may prove "crumbs of comfort" — food for your souls — when duty, or danger, or weak- PS" 421 7 aess, may preclude more lengthened /eading or continuous thought. I know that it matters not by whom your bugles are sounded, when they stir and nerve the courage of thousands on the field of battle. It matters not by ivyliom the Highland pibroch sends its shrilling summons to the hearts of my own brave countrymen — it is a summons tieyer sent in vain. Should these few peaceful notes of the u Gospel-trumpet" inspire one drooping spirit among you with confidence or hope, forgive the feebleness ol the effort on my part, and to God give all the glory ! SOLDIER'S TEXT-hlH) FIRST MORNING OF MONTH. The eternal God is thy refuge, and neath are the everlasting awooS.— 33: 27. The floods may be deep, but the everlasting arms are deieyer, still. The infinite necessities of man are surpassed by the Infinite . and succor, and comforts o\' Groa. When he gives, it is "ex- ing abundantly above all that tn ask or think.'' EVENING. Christ, thi and for ever. — Hel>. 1 Since! left friends, and kindred, .•nd home, strange vicissitudes have befallen me ; but here is one Friend who change th not. 1 1 ed Jesus ! Thou art infinite, im- mutable! Of every thing e aid. "They shall per "Thou rem&iaefii.'lM 6 SECOND MORNING. We have no might against this great company that cometh against us, neither know we what to do : but our eyes are upon thee.— 2 Chron. 20: 12. The enemy may be like grass- hoppers for multitude, but a breath from the Almighty is able to scatter them like chaff before the whirlwind. Give us help from trouble, Lord; for vain is the help of man. " The battle is not ours, but God's." EVENING. Leave thy fatherless children, 1 will preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me. — Jer. 49: 11. " The Lord will provide." He will be a Father to the fatherless, and a Husband to the widow. He is a wise Provider — a kind Provider — a rich Provider. With him as their friend and portion, they need no other. THIRD MORNING. Christ also hath once suffered for sin-. the just for the unjust, that he n. bring us unto God. — 1 Peter 3 : 18. And shall I murmur? L a sinner deserving nothing but wrath, justly suffering, when he, the innocent Lamb of God, mur- mured not f But for the pains of that sinless, spotless Victim. ns must have been for erer. EVENING. J will not fail thee, nor forsake tl I and of a good courage. — . 1 : 5, 6. What an argument for boldi in the day of Buffering or in the hour of conflict! 'f&oct is for me: who can be against me?" " Through God we shaft do vali- antly." "Though he slay me. yet will I trust in him." FOURTH MORNING. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteous ness.— 2 Peter 3: 13, Blessed hope ! beyond this sin - -.iricken, woe-worn world, there is a heaven of u righteousness." It is secured to me by the promise of a God that can not lie. Am. J -looking" for it? am I readv tor it? EVENING. This is a faithful saying, an«l worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. — 1 Tim. 1: 15. This brief verse preaches to me a whole Gospel. § Jesus, a Saviour for the chief of sinners ! Resting my weary soul on such a golden saying, I am resigned to suffer; I am prepared to die. TJi MORNIN Th< re great and fenced : ■• Lord?" Let me feel this b. '■d confidence in thy pres and help. Xo power of man can with .stand thy might " The I . gave the word. ... Kings of ar- - did flee apace." — Ps. 68: 1 2 i: VEX IN Veril) I irth.- -:11. What a mournful reflection v« »uld it be were there " no Go -were all that is now befall e result of accident and Jut there is One on high rn 1 :mong the nations, who u judget 1 1 ighteousjud. lord :ieth; let the earth be glafl 10 SIXTH MORNING. The children of Judah prevailed be- cause they relied upon the Lord God of their fathers.— 2 Chron. 13 : 18. Let this be' my confidence in the hour of battle : I rely on " mv fathers' God." "Our fathers trusted in thee, God ! they trusted, and thou didst deliver them." " This God shall be our God for ever and ever.'* EVENING. The prayer of faith will save the sick. — James 5 : 15. Am I now laid on a sick bed ? the prayer of faith is still omni- potent to save me. If it be thy will, God, let not this sickness be " unto death." , Nevertheless, ' ' not my will, but thine, be done. ' ' I put my case into the hands of the Great Physician, and leave it- there. 11 SEVENTH MORNING. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us. — 1 John 3: 16. What a love was this ! I may be called in battle to lay down ray life in fighting for ray friends. He laid down his life in fighting for his enemies. After such a pledge of his love, 1 may well trust his faithfulness in all that Wfalls me. EVENING. And he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. — Acts 7 : 55. Blessed Jesus ! let me be living by faith on thee now, that, should I be hurried into sudden death. I may also behold thee waiting to welcome me to thy kingdom, and be ready, tyke thy servant, to "fall asleep." 12 EIGHTH MORNING. will swallow up death in victory.— , h 25: 8. Blessed consummation ! Tito worst evil I can fear is death; and yet, if I be a true believer,— ;. subject of grace and an heir of glory, — the hour of death Is changed into the hour of victory. Thanks be to God, who givetli me the victory through the tbrcl Jesus Christ. EVENING. The Lord will give strength unto his i-eople; the Lord will bless his people with peace. — Psalm 29 : 11. " Strength" and " peace " — the two things I most need — strength to bear and to suffer ; peace in the midst of much to cause uneasi- ness and pain. God promises both ; he gives grace equal to the hour of trial. •" As thy days, so shall thv strength be." 18 NINTH UoKM.\ To depart and be with Christ, which Is letter.— Phil. 1: 21 Better indeed! if so the will of be. Away from sorrow. suffering, sin. I desire to have no trust in a dying hour, but itt a dying-, cver-livin our! Christ 3 and Christ only, is in me c< the hope ofgloiy." EVENING, mountains are round about I'M., so the Lord is round about his, people from henceforth; even for cn-i-r.— Psalm 121. What aiv the most impregnable trth's bulwark^, in comn son. with the security of the ever- lastu ant: and my securi ty, if lam indeed a believer in Jesus 14 TENTH MORNING. 1 know their sorrows. — Exodus 3: 7. Jesus speaks here ! He knows my sorrows, for be has felt them ! Abi I now suffering pain, bowed down with bodily weakness, or harassed with anticipated trial ? --let me think of Him who with tender sensitiveness can enter and does enter into every pang that rends the heart ! EVENING. 1 know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I? have committed unto him against that day. — 2 Tim. 1 : 12. What a glorious creed f Jiy 30ul, is it thine ? Truly I need not dread " battle, or murder, or sudden death, " if I have such a helmet as this — " the hope of salva- tion!' 9 15 ELEVENTH MORNING. The Lord thy God walketh in the midst "fthy camp to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee. — Deut. 23: 14. What a Sentinel is here ! The pillar-cloud of Jehovah's presence with me by day, the pillar of fire by night. The thought may well soothe me in pain, animate me in duty, and prepare me for trial. " God is in the midst of her ; she shall not be moved : God shall help her, and that right early." EVENING. Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. — John 6: 37. He might long ere now have cast me off for ever. How won- drous his patience ! A poor, wor- thless cumberer spared ! At thifl hour the golden gates of mercy are still open — God is waiting to be gracious. 16 TWELFTH MOKNING. my Father, if tliis cup may not pass away from me except I drink it, thy will be done.— Matt. 26: 42. Every cup is put into our hands by God. He has some gracious end in mingling it. How sooth- ing to cherish the Saviour's spirit of meek submission ! He is u my Father.'* That word may well lull every misgiving and fear ! EVENING. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered- — Psalm 32: I. Do I know this blessedness ' .Have I fleet to the Lord Jesus as my only Saviour ? Do I feel that all the transgressions of my past life are in him freely forgiven ? What a sustaining hope is this for a living — what a smooth pil- low for a dying hour ! 17 THIRTEENTH MORNING. The Lord reigneth. Psalm — 97:1. Sublime thought ! The reins of universal government in God's hand. All that befalls me de- creed by him. " Man proposeth, but God disposeth. " " Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right ? " K VEXING. I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh on me. — Psalm 40 : 17. Many distant and beloved rela- tions and friends are now "think- ing on me ;" the reflection cheers and revives my spirit. A migh- tier than human friend is doing the same. An eye in heaven is watching me, and a heart in heav- en is feeling for me. •' The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy !" 18 FOURTEENTH MORNING. ".All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. — Psalm 25: 10 It may not seem so ; at present, mine may be a path ofperplexity and pain, toil and weariness; but God has some wise end in all his leadings. He will guide me by a right way. Let me trust him if I can not trace him. EVENING. Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. — Psalm 61 : 3. There is no greater argument for trusting in God for the future, than remembering his kindness and faithfulness in the past. " Thou hast been my help ; leave me not, neither forsake me, God of my salvation/ 1 19 FIFTEENTH MORNING. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and there shall be no more «, neither sorrow nor crying ; neither .-hall there be any more pain, for the for mer things are passed away. — Kev. 21: 4. Happy prospect ! when I shall forget my present itching hours, this tacked body and weaned spirit, and be ushered into the brightjwn8hiiieofatearless,pain- sdrrowless world. "Oh that T had wings like dove, for then would I flee away and be at rest/' EVENING. [nmy FYtther'a house are many man sions.— John 1 ) The home of earth 1 may ne- ver see again : the music of earthly home-voices may never again greet my ears ; but I have a Father's home in heavan, where -uttering and siu shall never more either felt or feared. Lord, 20 teach me, as a pilgrim here, to " desire " this " Better Country." SIXTEENTH MOttNING* We may boldly say, The Lord is my hel- per, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. — Heb 13 : 6. What a glorious motto in a time of trouble ! The power of man is finite ; it can go no furth- er than Omnipotence permits. But the resources of God are in- finite, "What time I am afraid I will trust in thee!" EVENING. The shields of the earth belong unto God.— Psalm 47 ; 9* I adore thy sovereignty, thou Governor among nations! Kings, princes, and monarchs, are in thy hand. What a comfort to feel as- sured that no enemy is allowed to go further than thou permittest ! 44 The Lord sitteth upon the floods, yea, the Lord sitteth King forever. ' 21 SEVENTEENTH MORNING- Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. — Tames 4; 8. What an encouragement to the faint and weary soul, when home is distant, friends absent, foes 2r round, heart and flesh failing, that the Friend of all friends is ever near ! "I will call upon the Lord, who worthy to be praised. So shall I be saved from mine enemies." EVENING. Thou which hast showed me great and sore troubles .^halt Quicken me again, ;iih1 .-halt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.— Psalm 71 : 20. 1 shall rest in this gracious as- >u ranee. I may have been re- cently brought to the brink of destruction — "verily a step be- 'i me and death !" But I am still spared, a miracle of mercy. Lord, make me also a miracle erf ce. 20- ■ EIGHTEENTH MORNING. We know that all things work togeth- er for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.— Rom. 8 : 28. Am I called of God ? Am I conscious, however feebly,of lov- ing him ? Then whatever befalls me is, in a way I can not perhaps at .present understand, combining for my good. In heaven, I shall see and acknowledge that all was meant so, and tyas so. EVENING. Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel : I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldst go. — Isaiah 48 : 17. "\Yhat are the present teachings of my God— lessons enforced "by terrible things in righteousness "? He would teach me to repose in him as my Helper in trouble ; to to live from hour to hour in prep- 23 aration for cL d to put all my trust in the merits of that Saviour, who " hath borne nay- is and carried my sorrows." NINETEENTH MORNING. With him is an arm of flesh, but with Lord our God, to help us, and ht our battles.— 2 Chron. 32: 8. What a comfort^ the assurance that ihere is a God "judging righteously,"' who "girdeth us i unto the battle"! others boast in their "arm of flesh," " but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.'' EVENING. Who shall separate us from the love ■ ,i Christ?— Ro< Nothing will! Nothing can ! I. may be Operated from friends, comrades, home, all I most love on earth; but thou, O We Redeemer, art always at my side. Even if death should overtake 24 me, it can not sever from thee. Thine is a love,strongas death,sur- vivingdeath,enduring as eternity. TWENTIETH MORNING. The name of the Lord is a strong tow- er; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.— Prov. 18 : 10. Every attribute of His nature is a strong bulwork in this tower — everlasting love, power, wis- dom, truth, faithfulness. " Thou wilt keep him, O God, in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on theee." EVENING. Though I walk in the midst of trouble thou wilt revive me. — Psalm 138: 7. May such, Lord, be my expe- rience. I am walking in the midst of trouble — without are fightings, within are fears. "Wilt thou not revive me?" "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." 25 TWENTY-FIRST MORNING. I am he that liveth, and was dead ; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen ; and have the* keys of hell and of death.— Rev. 1 : 18. The keys of the grave and death are in the hands of Him who died for me, who lives for me, who pleads for me. and (if I am suffer- ing) who feels for me. With such an assurance,whetherlife or death be in my cup, all must be well ! EVENING. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, ai men of Israel: I will help thee eaith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Ho! of fcrael. — Isaiah 41 i 14. What a comforting promise ! — • Worm, 1 ' man in hia weakn " Jacob" the believer staron^ in his covenant security! "V not!" Why? I am Jehovah. am lh\ Rem I am a Holy (iod. lam the Cod of Jsrad, and ae such " I will help t 26 TWENTY-SECOND MORNING. My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory bv Christ Jesus.— Phil. 4: 19.'. My need is mfinite, but my help is infinite ; a wise Provider, a kind Provider, an almighty Pro- vider, — and all in Jesus I EVENING. In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavillion ; in the secret of his tabernacle he shall hide me ; he shall set me up upon a rock. — Psalm 27 : 5. Lord, hide me in the clefts of the Rock of Ages until the indig- nation be overpast ! Thy presence and love are never so precious as . in the time of trouble. 0. God of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee ! TWENTY-THIRD MORNING. He hath torn, and he will heal us ; he , hath smitten, and he will bind us up. Hosea 6:1. What a comfort to see no other hand but thine, God, in all that be tails me ! Men may s being drawn at a venture," but the arrow's path was marked outlay th .' 1 adore thy sovereignty ! I rejoice in tby mercy ! Thou ha.st torn — Thou '. Thou canst heal — canst hind! KNIXC. Surely he hath borne our irrieis am" carried our sorrow?. — Isaiah :">?> : 4. a I now a great sufferer : What, after all, . luring: <)iih ripples in the tide ot woe. WTiereas iny Saviour has • home, and home for ?/>e, all the ad billows of wrath ! L. iparison with Ms, mine surely Mictions.' TWENTY-FOURTB MORNING. The Lord i~ good, a stronghold ii day of trouble, and he knowoth til em that trust in him. — Nahum 1 : 7. God is (ji ! is strong — Iful. What a bl 28 • threefold link in the chain of divine comfort ! It is in the day trouble he delights more espe- cially to manifest his goodness. As an earthly father loves his child most in its hour of sickness and pain, so with my Father in heaven — ' He knows my soul in adversities." EVENING. Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.- — Keb. 10: 37. 6 A little while !' and then sor- row, suffering, tears, death, sin, will be known ijo more ! Let me compose myself to 'sleep, or rest my aching head on its pillow, with the joyous thought, * Soon to be with Christ, and that for ever and ever!' TWENTY-FIFTH MORNING. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written. King of kings and Lord of lorde.-Rev. 19: 16. 00 All the plans, purposes, de- signs, of the monarchs of the earth, are under the control o; this King of kings ! He is using them as instruments for the pro- motion of his own cause and glo- ry. Christ holds the ' seven stars in his right hand.' Tie is King of his church. He is King of nations ! EVENING. The Lord is nigh unto thorn that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.— Psalm 34: 18. Prayer has lost none of its effi- cacy! When other help and hope is gone, when the enemy is coming in like a ffood, how com- forting to think that ' the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters '! This is his own recorded promise, "Call upon nie in day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." 30 TWENTY-SIXTH MORNING. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleans us from all unrighteousness. — I John 1: 9. Do 1 feel my sins the sorest of \aj wounds, the bitterest of my trials? My Grocl is waiting to for- give and forget them all ! He is faithful to do so — heis just to do so. He is as able as he is willing, and s willing as he is able to save ! EVENING. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth.— Psalm 46 : 9. Thort, Lord ! alone canst stem the tide of passion, sheathe the sword of war, and make the wrath of man. to praise thee! Oh, hasten that happy time when 'violence shall no more be heard ;' when ' nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anv more.' 31 TWENTY-SEVENTH MORNING. Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for vou. — 1 Peter 5: 7. "He careth ! " The great Be ing who counts the number of the -. numbers all my woes, and pain-, and sorrows ! Whatmul tiplied proofs lie has given in the e careth for me " ! well confide to him the ■' unknown to-morrow.' BNING. The Lord also will be ;t refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee ; for thou, Lord, not forsaken them that seek thee.- Psalm 0: 9, In. Do I tlin- 'know'' the name "1* God '.' [1 18 a bulwark of 81 pefigtfi to all his people. What what faithfulness ! what power! what love! Shelter- ed here, T am *'.i\\> — 1 am happy i 32 TWENTY-EIGHTH MORNING. When thou passest through the waters, 1 will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkeet through the fire, thou shalt not be burned ; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. — Isaiah 43 : 2. "Waters," "streams," "floods," * ' rivers, " " fire . ' ' How manifold are the trials of God's people ! But he has promised to be with them in all, and to bear them through all. EVENING. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. — Psalm 37 : 5. Is my way dark — hedged up with thorns ? Let me repose in God. My times are in his hand. I could not wish them in other or better. " Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee." TWESTJ B MORNING. !ezer. hitherto hath the I Can I. too, not set up this ne of remembrktice " r How lurtiplied have been the tokens mIs goodnessi! The past is tied with monuments and memorials of lpve, and patience, ,ind forbearance. " What shall r render unto the Lord for all i refits toward i KVKN'IXC The khig'B heart is in the hand of the as the river? of water : lie turn. raoever he will.— Prn that life and death are in thy hand. " Ti O Lord, art a shield for me, my glor. he lifter up of my head." (Ps.iii. Do thou conduct our valiant troops to victory ! "Some trust in chariots, and some in ho 42 but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." I earnestly entreat thee that, through the merits of thy dear Son, all my many sins may be forgiven. If death should over- take me in the field, may I die at peace with thee ; reposing in. the gracious assurance that Jesus is "able to save unto the uttermost." IBless all my comrades, have mercy on their souls. Impart to them also devoted and unflinch- ing courage in the hour of con- flict. I*would more especially plead with thee in behalf of my beloved relations at a distance. If thou in thy sovereignty shouldst ordain that this be my last prayer for them, do thou, who art the "Father of the fatherless, the husband of the widow, " — better 43 than the best and dearest of earth - \y friends, — be their comforter, snstainer, protector, and guide. Oh, never leave and never for- sake them ! Lord, my hope is in thee. I will go fearlessly in the strength of the Lord God. Keep me in the hollow of thy hand. Hide me under the shadow of thy wings. May the Lord of hosts be with us ; may the God of Jacob be our refuge. Amen. PRAYER OF A WOUNDED 80LD3LER. God, draw near to me in the multitude of thy mercies. Pity m v sufferings, relieve my distress, bind up my wounds. Thy hand is never shortened that it can not save. Do thou bring me back from the gates of death, that I 44 may once more be among the living to praise thee. Sanctify- all thy dealings to my soul. May I be led to know more and more of the preciousness of Christ, and oi his great salvation ; and, if it be thy blessed will to spare me, may the life prolonged by thy bounty be given to thy service. I pray for all my fellow-suffer- ers. Lord, ease their pains. Grant them relief under severe bodily anguish. Give to them * and to me patience to bear what- ever thy hand has laid upon us. May we, in the midst of our suf- ferings, remember him who, as our Redeemer, suffered infinitely greater anguish for us. Prepare my dying comrades for death. Fit them for their eternal change. I pray for my beloved relatives mid friends at home. The Lord 15 h between them and me when we ate absent one from her. Let them know that r hou art faithful wh'o hast promis- • Twill never leave thee nor 3ake thee." "Bless our rulers and country. 3s our armies by aea and laud — our officers, our soldiers, our Do thoii crown a with victory. " Atiee, Lord, and let thine L" Forgive all my many sins, blot i out in the blood of Jesus. Living or dying, Lord, may I be thin< all that I ask i- :ike ot I Tim who*is my ;eu. R OF A DYING SOLDIER. God, T beseech thee to look a upon me in thy great mei 4t> I am about to leave this world. Guilty and unworthy in myself, all my hope for mercy is in the merits of Jesus Christ, my bless- ed Saviour. I would lay hold as a dying sinner on the precious assurance that " he is able to save unto the uttermost, " and that his blood can wash away even such guilt as mine. Oh, forgive all my past iniqui- ties, and let me fall asleep in Jesus, in the blessed hope of eternal life. Give me patience to endure whatever I may have yet to suffer; and, as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, let me fear no evil, feel- ing that thou art with me. T would especially commend to thy gracious care and keeping all my beloved relatives and friends at home. We shall meet no 47 more in this world ; oh, may we all meet before thy throne in glory. Do thou bind up their broken hearts, and give them strength and grace to sujmiit to thy will. Be thou their everlast- ing friend and^ portion. May they take comfort in thine own gracious promise — "Leave thy fatherless children, I will pre- serve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me." I pray for thy blessing on my fellow-soldiers. I pray for thy forgiveness to my enemies. Pity the wounded, relieve the prison- ers, support the dying. And now, Lord, what wa for. My hope is in thee. Have thou mercy on my soul. Smooth my death pillow. Give me a' peaceful entrance into the world * hll hallo :om cQine. Thy ■ <«oj.ic on earth as it is this day our daily (ve v.s our debts, ^as v, debtors. And-le^ but