At the Battlefront

In the past evening I read an article written by one who said he had visited the battlefronts. It brought tears to my eyes. He explained that he believed it is good that we people here know the suffering that our boys are enduring. It touched me so deeply when he said he saw one soldier carried unto the field hospital clinging to the hand of a friend and the first real panic he saw was in this wounded boy's eyes when his friend dropped his hand to minister unto him. Then the cry came, "Oh, do not leave me! Do not leave me!"

Oh, dear ones, consider this Book which we have and the Friend we have in Jesus who came here upon this earth to bear all our sins and griefs. He is able and willing at all times to be our dear Friend and to abide with us even in such hours as we sing, "And when in thy last distress, helpless friends around thee gather."

Oh, consider, beloved ones, the sacrifice that is going over the face of the earth today, it is all for a purpose. The blood that is being shed, the heartaches and the suffering, is all for a purpose that we might yet be moved to give our life to God and to purify those of us that have been willing and have become His children. More and more we realize what the purpose of our life is here upon this earth.

We were reminded of the children of Israel, how they murmured over this or that, but let us be contented, as we have been saved from many of the horrors of war.
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Let us not live so lightly and carefree, as oft times is the case, in this latter time when suffering is going over the face of the earth. Let us not live so lightheartedly, as the time will come when we will have to give an account of our life. But let us think that, even though some of us have been fortunate, yet there are many mothers' hearts that are bleeding today for the loss of their sons who were dear unto them as ours would be. Let us have love and compassion for all humanity and not only have a small circle, considering only those that are dear unto us. The rest are also dear unto someone. Let us be more earnest in our prayers, our convictions, our conversations and our conduct, so that we may be a light in this dark and dreary time. We should humble ourselves in the sight of God so that there can be fruits seen and that the days of sorrow can be shortened for those that are carrying the burden upon the battlefields.

Perhaps we might think we have made no experience, but I cannot help to think of a troubled night I had recently. Maybe I should not speak of it, but a few nights back, I had a troubled night for a reason I did not know. I spent the night upon a battlefield and, in the face of the battle, the enemy came. And I pleaded for only a little while to be left alone. It moved me so and I had to think of what those people must be enduring upon the battlefield -- our loved ones in the face of battle -- and we go on our way so carefree and even sometimes murmur of the trifles and tribulations that we should bear willingly.

--Sermon Excerpt: Elder Bro. J.B. (1943)