Alongside great suffering during World War I was the faithful witness of Christians.
These included Army Scripture Readers (ASR). SASRA (Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association) has marked this through the publication of Army Scripture Readers’ journals. In August 1914, ASR Harry Wisbey accompanied the Suffolk Regiment to France and Belgium. The following excerpts are taken from his diary .
19 AUGUST
[near Llandrecies, France]
Got among the troops… and tried to point them to Christ, and I have reason to believe the message went home to many of them… Had a nice prayer meeting… we just commended our dear ones to God, and prayed for our comrades. Many of the men were listening close by, but had not the courage to join us.
23 AUGUST
[near Mons, Belgium]
Private Cocle tells me that he is alright now with God, and if it pleases God to spare him he will again take his old Sunday School Class. I have been trying to win this lad for a long time…
Many others seem very much concerned about their souls, but some of them still unwilling to surrender, while many others say it is ‘alright’ now with them… It appears that God is blessing his work, and not even using me in a way to bring them to himself.
Now I have just appealed to some more of our men to give themselves to God, for things are looking very serious. Many of our men were fired at last night – 20 yards from where I was sleeping myself… Terrible artillery fire going on now on our right; it is awful to hear it.
26 AUGUST
[Battle of Le Cateau – the Suffolks were surrounded and overwhelmed; Wisbey was separated from them]
I can see the troops taking up their positions; now the artillery coming up, the Cavalry behind the woods – Infantry entrenching; now I can hear the artillery firing…
What can this be? – why, here come the German Cavalry; they have charged through our lines – ‘make for your lives’ say the men, and all the way down the road you can hear the same thing – some on waggons, some on horses, bicycles, motors, many on foot – all flying for their very lives, and the cry is taken up by everyone.
28 AUGUST
[Rouen]
… still in the Station – not moving any further I hear… So I left the train and went to the Rest Camp about two miles away…
I look very dirty, – long beard, hair straight up, teeth dirty; have lost everything except what I stand up in… Someone brings me some tea…
After this, I sit down on a seat and rest, and I suppose I must have looked a bit rough, for about 40 men gathered round and had a good look at me. Out came my Bible, and I just preached Christ to them. How they did listen!
The crowd was so great round me, I had to move on, but they followed me, and I took my stand again and preached Christ to them. I pleaded with them to surrender all to Jesus Christ; some of them must have made a decision, I am sure… one can tell by the look on their faces.
1 SEPTEMBER
[on train to Le Mans]
It appears to me that the men who decide for Christ are men who have heard the Gospel a good deal. The Readers have laboured in the past, and now is the time of harvest; thank God for seed sown.
SASRA
For information about SASRA’s 100 Days Prayer Event visit www.sasra100days.org.uk
