The Comrade in White

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The Comrade in White

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Title: The Comrade In White
Author: W. H. Leathem
Release Date: November, 2005 [EBook #9384] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on September 28, 2003]
Edition: 10
Language: English
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The Comrade in White
BY THE REV.
W. H. LEATHEM, M. A.
INTRODUCTION BY HUGH BLACK
"I shall not fear the battle If Thou art by my side."

1916

INTRODUCTION
The Great War has put a strain on the resources of human nature, as well as on material resources. Men who have come through the hell of the trenches have discovered some of the secrets of life and death. Many of them have known a reinforcement of spiritual power. It is quite natural that this fact should often be described in emotional form as direct interposition of angels and other supernatural agencies. Among these the most beautiful and tender stories are those of "The Comrade in White." In essence they are all testimony to the perennial fount of strength and comfort of religion--the human need which in all generations has looked up and found God a present help in times of trouble.
The origin of the many stories brought back to England from the battle fronts by her soldiers is that to the average Briton this a religious crusade, and men have gone with an exaltation of soul, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, willing to die that the world might live. Men and women are face to face with eternal realities, and are driven by the needs of their hearts to the eternal refuge. Unless we see this we miss the most potent fact in the whole situation.
The tender stories in this little volume are a reflex of the great religious stirring of the nation. They describe in a gracious and pathetic way the various abysmal needs of this tragic time, and they indicate how many human souls are finding comfort and healing and strength. They are finding peace as of old, through the assurance that "earth has no sorrows, that heaven cannot heal."
HUGH BLACK.
NEW YORK.

"THE WHITE COMRADE"
I
When soldiers of the Cross waged Holy War, With courage high, and hearts that did not quail Before the foe, in olden times they saw The blessed vision of the Holy Grail. Tho' Christ was gone, His pledge was with them yet, For, borne on wings of angels, from the skies, They saw the chalice that once held the wine As emblem of the Saviour's sacrifice For men, and knew that still the Master met, With His own friends, in fellowship divine.
II
Christ has His soldiers now. Though years have rolled Away, the warriors of the Cross are strong To fight His battles, as the saints of old, Against oppression, tyranny, and wrong. And still amid the conflict, they can trace The Saviour's influence. Not the Holy Grail Which once as His remembrance was adored, But Christ Himself is with them. For a veil Is lifted from their eyes, and, face to face They meet the presence of the risen Lord.
III
O blessed vision! After all the years, Thou'rt with us yet. To-day, as heretofore, Men see Thee still and they cast off their fears, And take fresh courage to press on once more. The soldiers, bearing from the desperate fight A wounded brother, see Thee, in the way, And know Thee for the Saviour, Healer, Friend, For once again, Thy loved ones hear Thee say (O Christ! White Comrade, in their stand for right!) "Lo, I am with you alway, to the end."
Fidei Defensor.

CONTENTS
I. IN THE TRENCHES
II. THE MESSENGER
III. MAIMED OR PERFECTED?
IV. THE PRAYER CIRCLE

I
IN THE TRENCHES "And immediately He talked with them, and saith unto them, 'Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.'"
--THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MAKK, chap, vi: 50.
"And His