The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-10-25
SUNDAY READING.
q DIDN'T ASK TO BE SAVED

" much given TO the use OF profane
and reckless speeches, and when the vii
lage pastor was talking to him about his
souls welfare one day, and asked him II
he was not grateful for the offer OF saliva
tion, he said
mo, why should be 7 didn't ask
to be saved"
"Well, you will have to ask, or you
Will not share in the unspeakable bless
ing," replied the minister, and noticing
look Of surprise now stealing over the
young mans bold face, he continued,
IA young relative of mine was wound
ed at the battle Of Gettysburg, and for
hours was in state verging upon un-
consciousness. After lying a long time
on the damp ground he became aware
that there were voices near him, and
although he could not move as much as
one Of his fingers or his eyelids even, he
thought he felt hand softly placed up
on his heart. Then he became aware
that nurse, he knew that 1t was a wo.
man by her voice, was pleading with the
regimental surgeon, who was on the
Held, to make one more effort to save
some poor fellows life. Presently he
realized that he was the object of her
solicitude.
He is so fine looking and so strong
ly built said the nurse. His natural
vitality must be great besides, sir, she
continued In reverent tone, he may
have wife, or a mother, or sister
praying for his safety now
"'It's no use to spend time over him.
said the surgeon gruffly, but If you wish
to stay by him you can. 1 can do moth
ing for him, and must move on. Re.
member, If you remain you will run the
risk of being left alone here in the night
on the field.
''Very well, replied the nurse brave
ly, Il will take the risk, and shall do all
in my power to resuscitate and save this
poor fellow, and only immediate atten-
ton can avail now.'
presently the soldier became con.
scious that his jaws were being gently
forced open, and that some powerful
stimulant had been given him. 1t Wa
not long before he revived sufficiently to
be carried to the hospital, and in good
time he entirely recovered. His life had
been saved through the prompt and
faithful efforts of that devoted nurse.
"Now what if should tell you,'' con-
tinued the pastor, as he earnestly looked
into the face of the young man who had
just made the coarse and fiippant speech,
but who was all attention now-"what
IL should tell you that that young man
was ashamed of the noble young woman
who risked so much to save his life-that
he subsequently went about Dragging
that he had never asked her to save him
that he had not the least acquaintance
with her-that he refused to acknowl-
edge even that she had been Of any SER
vice to him, and never mentioned her
name except in sighting, reviIing
way?"
II should say he was mean, con-
temptible migrate" " replied John Hayne
impulsively. "He was not fit to live.
his life was not worth saving"
"Very WE'LL" said the pastor, sbut
this nurse only by little temporary sac
rifice of comfort on her part, at the same
time being in the pay of the govern
ment, was the means of prolonging the
soldiers paltry life for few brief years
in this world of care and sorrow. Jesus
Christ, the divine Lord, suffered on the
cross and died for you to redeem you.
from sin, and now offers to make you an
heir of eternal life. And yet / have
never known you to speak of him, or Of
those who love and try to follow him,
with common respect even."
My dear sir" replied John Hayne,
II have never looked at this thing in.
that light before. OF course an migrate
ful person is the meanest person living.
1 promise as much as this now; will.
never use the Lords name lightly
again"
The pastor did not press the subject
any further at that time. He had set
the young man to thinking. Not long
afterwards John Hayne was converted,
and he says that little lesson on ingrati-
tude brought him to a saving knowl.-
edge of Christ.