“When I came to myself, the fighting was over, and the rebs all gone; but I was so weak that I couldn’t stir nor speak, and I thought my time had come; but I didn’t feel afraid to die.
“You remember, ma’am, the time of that revival in the Sabbath-school, when several of the children were admitted to the church? I think I gave my heart to the Saviour then; and though Aunt Letty thought I was too young to come forward with them, I have always loved my Bible better than any other book; and when I lay there, I tried to look up to the Lord Jesus, but my eyes were heavy, and wouldn’t keep open. Then it seemed as if angels were all round me, and I forgot my pain and how much I wanted water, and went to sleep again. The next thing I knew, I was in the hospital, and my arm gone.”
I was affected to tears by this simple recital, and could hardly command my voice to say,
“But, Willie, you have always been very full of life and activity; does it never seem hard to you to lose your arm, and to be shut up here so sick, and perhaps to die?”
His face flushed, and he looked up in surprise, but soon answered pleasantly,
“Oh, you are only asking that to try me; you couldn’t mean it in earnest, I’m sure. Why, there never was any boy who had so many blessings as I have. In the first place, it was such goodness in God to let me go out with the regiment, such a poor little fellow as I am. Then when I was hurt, he sent dear Aunt Letty to take care of me, and bring me home here to such a nice place, and such kind friends. It isn’t any matter about my arm, for when I die I’ll have wings, you know, and so it will never be missed.”
Dear young disciple! So early and plainly taught of the blessed Saviour, what could older Christians do but sit at thy feet and learn wisdom from thy simple, childlike words?
While I still lingered, unable to tear myself away from a scene so peaceful and hallowed, Mrs. Flint came in, and took a seat by his side. Her looks and voice were carefully graduated to suit the occasion as she said,
“I am glad to see you so comfortable, and hope, my dear child, that the chastisement of the Lord is doing you good. Do you feel that this is the case?”
Willie was a brave, happy boy naturally, and religion had added to these traits a firm trust in God as his Father, through Jesus Christ, so he smiled as he answered,