The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1898-04-28
HOW He WAS SAVED.

In all the bad things Chris Manley was
easily the worst, and his reputation as a
drinker, a fighter and a swearer was not
bounded by the county lines. His mother
was a Christian woman, and she prayed
for her boy as only Christian mothers can
pray for their boys, but as the years rolled
by she found no answer to her prayers.
But her faith was divine faith, and she
never quit praying for Chris. She believed
that sooner or later her prayers would be
answered.
Chris loved mis- mother, even if he did
not show it by his actions. He often prom
ised her to do better, but evil companions
influenced him, promises made were soon
broken and the good mother learned that
her prayers were not to be answered yet.
When the war of the rebellion broke cut,
the patriotism of Metamora men blazed
forth and the work of recruiting COM
pany was begun. Almost the first one to
enlist was Chris Manley, and with him
came dozen of his reckless and sinful
companions. The recruiting officer hest
tated about accepting the whisky reeking
young man, but after admiring his stall
wart frame and recalling the fact that
army discipline was often effectual in the
way of making men out of poor material,
the recruiting officer swore Manley into
the service.
When Chris babe his weeping mother
goodby, she handed him a little pocket
Testament.
promise me that you will read it once
in awhile, my son. Promise for my sake"
And Chris promised and thrust the Tes-
lament into his pocket. Then he marched
away to the depot with his company and
was soon on his way to Camp Douglas.
Weeks rolled into months and the months
into years, and Chris was lying before the
walls of Vioksburg with thousands of 9th
er gallant Illinois soldiers. He had not
changed much as to habits. He was still
the reckless drinker and swearer that had
afflicted Metamora, but his officers knew
that he was splendid fighter.
He had carried the little Testament with
him all the years, but had never read a
word of it. He carried it because he really
loved his patient mother, and he was 60
ing to carry it home with him-if he lived
to return home. So the little book rested
inside the bosom of his blouse.
1t was during one of those desperate but
Intellectual charges against the walls of
Vicksburg, in which bandreds of bravo
lives went out, that Chris Manley felt a
double shock He felt the sharp pain of a
rifle ball blowing through his shoulder,
and also of something shifting him in the
breast. He staggered few steps and fell,
and soon his comrades were hurled back
from the walls.
A comrado who saw him fall bravely
rushed out from the trenches and bore the
insensible young soldier back. Chris was
sent to the hospital and in due time the
surgeons examined him. They saw that
his right arm would have to come off at the
shoulder and stripped him for the opera
ton. AS they did so the little Testament
fell out just above the young man 8
heart was livid bruise and upon looking
for the cause of it the surgeons discovered
that the little Testament had stopped rifle
ball that would have pierced his heart.
The bullet lay between the leaves of the
book.
When Manley' arm was off and he had
recovered consciousness, the nurse told
him of his narrow escape from death and
laid in his hand the little Testament his
mother had given him.
Chris mechanically opened it and traced
the course of the bullet through the pages.
Ho noted where it had stopped and res d
the verse against which the spent bullet
rested.
"For the eyes of the Lord are over the
righteous, read Chris, land his ears are
open to their prayers, but the face of the
Lord is against them that do evil.
AS Chris sank back upon his cot he
mother and heard again her prayers for
him. He lay there for hours, and at oAe
time the nurse thought he was dead. But
after awhile he opened his eyes again and
reached for the little book.
Two years later the little village of M ct
amora was blazing with excitement. The
soldier boys were coming home-aQ hut
those who were sleeping their last sleep
beneath the southern laurels A great
crowd collected on the village square to
greet the warriors, and among them was a
stalwart young man. One sleeve of his
coat was pinned across his broad chest, but
the other sleeve contained a strong arm,
and upon that arm leaned happy faced
old woman.
And when the soldier boys were well
coined the voice of the one armed young
man was among the loudest and happiest.
"Hello, Christi shouted dozen in uni
son.
''Hello, hoysP' shouted Chris.
And while there were Handwriting and
greetings on every side Chris was the CEN
ter of a little crowd of men in dusty blue
who were asking about him.
Elbows things coming, old man?'' asked
Sergeant Morris.
"Neyer better, Norris ;"
'What are you doing now, Chris?'
And when Chris answered the bronZed
sergeant gasped with astonishment and
muttered something for which he imme-
diately apologized.
''I'm studying for the ministry, Morris.
Tonight 1 mako my first attempt to
preach
The returned soldiers could scarcely be-
lieve that Chris Manley-Chris, the hard
drinker, tho profane swearer, the leader
in all attractions of army discipline-was
actually turned chaplain.
But that night the soldiers and their
friends crowded into the little church to
hear Chris Manley preach. When Manley
arose he thrust his only hand into the bos-
ON. of his coat and drew forth a little les
lament Every ear was opened to catch
his text
"For the eyes of the Lord are over the
righteous, and his ears arc open to their
prayers. !"
And sweet faced old woman in the
corner wiped from her eyes the tears of