The Springdale news., 1918-01-18
THE SOLDIERS CHRISTMAS.

 None but Red Cross nurses near him who could point him to the Lord. Dark and gloomy is his prison, but without seems gayest cheer. For despite Wars fearful ravage, Lo! the Christmas time draws near Streets are lined with many people, martial music in the air, But this soldier does not heed them for his thoughts are far from there
 Red Cross nurses come in silence, each one moves with softest tread, Then one comes to this poor fellow, puts a pillow meath his head Loud the bells pealed forth their mes sage, Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men," Whats the meaning ?" asked the sol dier. 1t is Christmas time again"
 Christmas time? And what's the message, told by ringing of the bells ?p
 Peace on Earth" the nurse then an swered. Christ is born, the an gel tells"
 Peace amid this awful carnage, bloodshed, horror, woe and pain? Death and heart-ache all around us. They should never ring again" Peace on Earth the nurse then told him, 1is the message from on high.
 And my peace l give unto you. Lo, my coming draweth nigh" Nurse then told to him the story of that first, sweet Christmas morn, Where in Bethlehem's lowly manager, Christ, the Holy Babe was born. And the soldier lay and listened, while the bells pealed loud and long, And there floated to his hearing, strains of one familiar song.
 (Seng.) Heard ye not the wondrous story, told of One on high One whose coming, One whose glory, nevermore shall die" And he listened to the music till the strains had died away, Then he said: Nurse l am dying Is 1t now too late to pray?o Softly told she then, the story of His great Redemption plan, Living, working, loving, striving, that He might redeem lost man. Died for all! How sweet and precious bids He all to come to Him. And the soldier listened to her till his eyes with tears grew dim. Then he said Nurse will you ask Him if l, too, may to Him come? Ask Him if He can forgive me, all the wrongs which l have done ?' Nurse now, humbly kneels beside him, this petition for him makes: God in heaven forgive this soldier, e'er his auivering heart-string breaks
 Give to him the sweet assurance that his sins are washed away Fill his soul with peace and gladness on this Holy Christmas day; Make him know that he's forgiven, e'er his faltering breath shall flee
 May he knew that Thou hast called him with this message Come to Me
 Peace, dear Lord, please give unto him, save him Lord we plead again,
 Save him and we'll give the glory un- to Thee dear Lord, amen" Then she rose and bent above him, wiped the moisture from his brow. A sweet smile o'erspread his visage, and he said: Forgiven Now Il, vile and hardened sinner, soul washed winter now, than snow. Nurse, you've lead me to the Saviour, and I'm ready now to go Listen nursel I hear sweet music, borne to us through the air, Peace on Eearth, 1 hear them sing ing; 'tis His message that hear"
 (Song.l Peace on Earth" the hills re-eehoed to the glad refrain, And the Christmas bells loud peal ing, breathe the air again" Now the maid has ceased her singing, Unto God a soul is born And he passed to be with Jesus, on that Holy, Christmas morn.
 -Addie B. Lynch. Whenever You Need a General Tonic