The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-27
GERMANY is READY
TO SIGN PEACE TERMS
EQUALLY JUST TO Az"
BULLET OF HUN
FINALLY COT HIM
Private John 0gg, Formerly of Barre,
Went Over the Top Many Times and
He Wrote of the Experience Just
Before Making the Supreme
Sacrifice.


Some things in the following letter
from Private John 0gg, late of the 9th
Gordon Highlanders, who is well remem-
bered as a Barre granitecutter in the
days before the war, afford an interest
ing insight into the spiritual life of a
soldier at the front. People whose war
reading has included Donald Hankey's
"A Student in Arms" will note that the
authors thoughts, running parallel with
those of Private ogg, touched at many
points, although undoubtedly the two
men never met and never had an oppor
tunity TO exchange views. Like the
Student Private ogg, or Johnnie"
'0gg, as he is recalled by many friends in
Barre, sleeps in Flanders. The letter,
addressed to an intimate friend in Barre,
was written short time before he made
the supreme sacrifice.
Dear John: It's a long time since /
wrote you, but don't think / have for
gotten you.
got through the big battle without
a scratch and l am down, convalescent,
with the old mplaintboils. They are
so much in my system that this life out |
here will never cure them. Well, John,
the reasons why | write you are many,
but there's one in particular and it is to
tell you that | am still on the good road.
OF course this letter is between you and
me, but something bids me tell you of
my belief in God. It's only past expe
rienee and face to face with death that
have made me realize His power; also,
confession is good for the soul" | am
far from being good, or far from being
Dious person, but so far as / am, | have
improved, especially in respect toward
my Creator and myself. The following
iacts win enable you to understand the
lebt ] owe to Him
The day before the Big Push" started
was Sunday. We had church parade
md a chance to attend the sacrament
lfter the service was over, | had been
It communion before. but then it was
,nly as member of the church | at
ended. This time it was an appeal to {
himself. You maybe do not understand :
he feeling soblier has before anything |
big" is to occur, but his feelings are
ar from what they are in civil life Ny :,
'wn case, for instance;
! thought on the kiddes and how they
would fare if | went under. had to !
% "over the top" with all that burden
n my mind, SO | felt friendless enough
took the sacrament, and also took a
ew fellows along with me who bad not
he courage to go, and really, something
old me after the service was over that
was safe and need not fear. | went
over the top" about q dozen times, the
laehine gun bullets grazing me and my
ais falling down beside me wounded or
cad, and | came safe through il all
18th good courage. After ii was over, | d
as recommended for the d. c. NJ, or p
)me other decoration OF course, | did h
OF feel ungrateful and still remember G.
" deliyerance. Yes John, feel bet Il
II man altogether and wish to continue Il
a the same road. 1t is a good thing to OF
'el ones life is for purpose and is lie
nder the control of the Divine Plan. Il
adds the principal of patience and al
isdom TO all that concerns ones life. I'll
am still graphing with religious, or IL
'iritual problems, and my mind is not
ear on many points but | have the fo
uest, and that's good in itself be
need not tell you that if | 90 up the ca
le again | will still keep nv faith. at
ough / do not wish to experience the Al
me thing over again. as | am tired vi
the war and have done my bit in it. | az
mot listen to this wholesale murder nc
ing anything holy or of Gods at all. er
i | know He will listen to the individ-
i and will also listen to the nation
len it comes TO Him. Also, He is the
ly way out of the matter We have IN
neglected the generous bounties of
5 and many a time | have thanked
m for sending the lark to sing to us
lile man in all his might tried to blow set
{ brains with science. and all the while an
? shells flying over our heads. On cold an
ghts in the trenches have sat watch 81
! the stars twinkle and figured out TO VIII
self how little we all are and how hu
ghty and yet so beautiful are His agi
rks. no,
)h, yes, the world has a great lesson ma
learn from the war. and the sooner ii lics
rms it the sooner il will be free. ma
] finish now and hope YOU are stil boa
rking away Be of good hope. John. the
the cloud of darkness will be lifted cia
lin and We'll surely be a happier and kn,
more thoughtful race send you my por
{ wishes and thank you for the con ]
Grafton you give me- Johnnie" VOL
Gordon Highlanders No. , Conval- ma
scent depot, No 4 camp, B. +. T. The
NeI
lag,
BOTTLE SAFE AITECED ffpg