'Christ Our Life: ' Readings for Short Services and Quiet Meditation

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 Excerpt: ... THE MUSTER-ROLL. AN INCIDENT OF THE AMERICAN WAR. A BATTLE had been fought, And on the plain, unmindful of defeat Or victory, the slain and wounded lay. Grim death was busy still, unsatisfied, Gathering the remnants of that sad day's spoiL As night drew on, Two men of God were seen, moving amid Those scenes of death and dying agony, As, nerved by heavenly strength, and tender care For souls, they sought to comfort dying saints By whispering in their ears His promises, From whom nor life nor death can separate; And to the Lamb of God, whose precious blood Can cleanse from every sin, to point the gaze Of those whose day of lif e was almost past, Their sins yet unforgiven. And now they stand Beside a manly form, outstretched alone. His helmet from his head had fallen. His hand Still firmly grasped his keen but broken sword. His face was white and cold; and, thinking he was They were just passing on, for time was precious, When a faint sigh caught their attentive ears. Life was still there; so bending softly down, They whispered in his ears most earnestly, Yet with that hush and gentleness with which We ever speak to a departing soul: --"Brother, the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, Cleanseth from every sin!" The pale lips moved, And gently whispered--" Hush!"--and then they closed, And life again seemed gone. But yet once more They whispered those thrice-blessed words, in hope To point the parting soul to Christ and heaven: --"Brother, the precious blood of Jesus Christ Can cleanse from every sin!" Again the pale lips moved; All else was still and motionless, for Death Already had his fatal work half done. But, gathering up his quickly failing strength, The dying soldier--dying victor--said: --"Hush! for the Angels call the Muster-roll!--I wait to hear my name!...