The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-05-10
Life Saved by a Hymn.

The following pretty, pathetic but
rather doubtful story comes from the
Blue and Gray, a new and successful
magazine. The editor declares that it is
true, however, and gives an ex Confeder.
ate colonel as the author:
A party of northern tourists formed
part of a large company gathered on the
deck Of an excursion steamer that was
moving slowly down the historic Potamac
one beautiful evening III tia summer of
1880. a gentleman who has since gain
ed national reputation as all evangelist
of sorg had been delightiug the party
with his happy rendering of many fa-
milias hymns, the last being the sweet
petition to every Christian heart, "Jesus
Lover Of My Soul"
The singer gave the first two verses
with such feeling, and peculiar empba.
sis upon the concluding lines that thrill
ed every heart. A hush had fallen upon
the listeners that was not broken for
some seconds after the musical notes had
died away. Then e gentleman made his
way from the outskirts of the crowd to
the side of the singer and accosted him
with:
"Beg your pardon, stranger, but were
you actively engaged in the late civil
war z"
eyes, sir" the man Of song answered,
courtsously. II fought under General
Graui."
"Well," the first speaker continued,
with something like sigh, II did my
fighting under General Lee, and think,
indeed am quite sure, was quite near
you one bright night nineteen years ago
this very month. 1t was such a night as
this. If am not mistaken, you were on
guard duty. We of the South had sharp
businsss on hand, and you were one of
the enemy. crept near your post of
duty, my rifle in hand, the shadows hid
ing ne. Your beat led you into the
clear light. As you paced back and
forth you were hummiDg the tune of the
song you just sung. I raised my rifle and
took aim at your heart. I had been &C..
lected by our company for the work be-
cause was sure shot. Then, out upon
the night rang the words!
"'Cover my defenceless head
Wish the shadow of Thy wing
"Your prayer was answered, I could
not fire after that. My rife was brought
down from my shoulder, and there WAS
no attack made on your camp that night,
Ifslt sure when 1 heard you sing this
evening, that you were one and the
same whose life I was spared from tax
ing"
Tho singer grasped the hand of the
Southerner, and said, with much emo.
ton: II remember the night very we'll,
and distinctly the feling of depression
and lonliness with which I went to my
duty. ! knew my post was enc Of great
danger, and was more detected than I
remember to have been at any time du-
ring the war. I paced my lonely beat,
thinking ofhome and friends and all that
life holds dear. Then the thought of
Gods care for all that He has created,
came to me with peculiar force. If He
so cares for sparrow, how much more
for man He has created In his own i'm.
age, and / sang the prayer of my own
heart. and ceased to feel alone. How the
prayer was answered I never knew until
this evening. My Heavenly Father
thought best to keep the knowledge from
me for nineteen years. How much Of
His goodness to US ne shall be ignorant
of unsil it is revealed by the light of eter
nityl Jesus Lover Of My Soul,' has
been q favorite hymn, now it will be in
expressibly dear"
The above incident is true one and
was related to this writer by one of the
participants.