“While I was in the Philippine Islands, twelve years ago, I was deeply impressed with the different attitudes of the officers and enlisted men when on the firing line. It was plain, even to the casual observer, that the men who were thoroughly devout Christians—and there are many thousands of Christians in our army—were not afraid to face the bullets, but the men who were agnostics and unbelievers, whatever that may mean, were so nervous and excited that they hardly knew what they were doing, or they were downright cowards.
“In my own case I was not afraid of death, as I had given very little thought to such a possibility; besides I had become more or less indifferent to life and possible death. One hot summer day, while fighting the Filipinos, I was shot through the head. An army surgeon bandaged me up as best he could and then assured me I was very likely not to live through the day.
“If I ever got scared, it was then, and if ever I prayed, it was then, in spite of the excruciating pains I suffered. The words of a comrade, who was a fine soldier, though not a thorough Christian, uttered by him shortly before I was wounded, were constantly ringing in my ears, namely, 'A man may possibly live without Christ, but he cannot die without Christ.'
“For a month or so the doctors and nurses did not think I would live, but God spared my life, and no doubt for a purpose. For six months I was unable to utter a word, as the bullet had passed through my tongue. It was well for me I could not talk to any human being, but I could talk to God. During those months I lived my entire life over again. I promised God to become a better man. True, I became more earnest in my views of life, I realized the value of the golden rule, but I was not converted. I could not yet understand the meaning of the word.
“The Red Cross nurses, who at the beginning of the trouble in the Philippines were in charge of the hospital, were not only experts in their profession, but were splendid types of self-sacrificing Christians, and their presence alone made the patients think of their mothers or sisters or other dear ones at home, thousands of miles away, and thus unconsciously these nurses, noble representatives of womanhood, frequently wrought a change for the better in the hearts of the wounded soldiers.
“While I was a patient at Manilla I saw many a man pass out of this life. The man with Christ in his heart died with a smile on his lips, knowing he had done his duty and that Christ would meet him. The unbeliever suffered agonies.
“I was wounded almost twelve years ago, not a day has passed without my communicating with God, and God was always willing to talk with me, when I addressed Him. As a result of my experience in the Philippines I spent almost three years in the hospital. I thank God He made me suffer, it was the only possible way for me to find Him again. My conversion did not take place all at once, it took place gradually. God used different means and ways in recalling me. I cannot mention them here without baring my life to you, which may be of no interest to you. Let me assure you no man can succeed without Christ. A man may amass a fortune, but if he neglects his soul his life is of little value.
“Among the applicants at different missions, I have met men who claimed the good people in charge were nothing but hypocrites. It is certainly strange that those fellows apply to hypocrites for help. Why don't they go to the agnostic or to the unbeliever?
“Follow my advice, first seek Christ; He is always ready and willing to accept you; the rest is easy. A drunkard cannot become sober by taking the Keeley cure or anything like that. The desire for drink is often inherited, medicine will not cure the sufferer, only God's grace can cure him.
“Why is it that the man who lives with Christ is always happy, even under adverse circumstances, and the man without Him is, as a rule, nothing but an egotist? You can easily find the answer yourself. Come to Christ, and, if you are willing to come, why not now?”