Crafting Versus Discovery


 
     "Immediately after one of the fiercest battles of the Civil War a chaplain of one of the Federal regiments passed over the field of conflict in the performance of his duty. He noticed among the prostrate bodies one which moved, and quickly was at the side of a dying soldier. Recognizing that the man had not long to live, he at once proceeded to administer, but in rather a formal manner, the consolations of religion. Kneeling at the man's side, he asked him to what church he belonged, and the surprising answer came, "The Church which God hath purchased with His own blood." "Oh, but that is not what I mean," said the minister, "what is your belief?" The mortally wounded disciple replied, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." "Oh," said the chaplain, "but you do not understand me--what is your persuasion?" The answer came from the lips which were quivering in the agonies of death, "I am persuaded that neither death nor life shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord," and with these words the soldier passed into the presence of Him who is the Savior of all them that believe in Him."