God Works in a Mysterious Way

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 2, 1915

God Works in a Mysterious Way

THE Pittsburgh Gazette tells a story which began during the Civil War, and was not completed until a short time ago, when the sequel appeared on board a steamer bound for Europe.

It was Sunday evening, and the passengers had met in the cabin to sing hymns. One gentleman, hearing a very rich and beautiful voice behind him, and having his memory stirred by it, turned round suddenly, and asked the singer if he had been in the Civil War.

“Yes,” was the answer. “I was a Confederate soldier.”

“Were you at —— on a certain night?”

“Yes, and a curious thing happened that night. The hymn recalls it to my mind. I was posted near the edge of a wood, on sentry duty. It was dark and cold, and about midnight, when everything was still. I found myself homesick , tired, and afraid. To comfort myself I began to sing this hymn:—

“All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of thy wing.’

“It brought me into a better frame of mind. Peace came down upon me, and all the rest of that long night I felt no more fear.”

“Now,” said the other man, “listen to my story. I was a Union soldier, and I was in the woods that night with a party of scouts. I saw you. My men had their rifles focused upon you. They were waiting for the word to fire. But when you sang— ‘Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of thy wing,’ I said, ‘Boys, lower your rifles! We’ll go home.’”