That night, so far as possible, the chaplains gathered their men round them on the field, and many a homely evensong was held.

Then followed a period of quiet.  There, frowning in front of them, was the Boers’ natural fortress of Magersfontein, rendered impregnable by a wonderful series of trenches, at the extent and perfection of which they could only guess.  They knew that there must be at least one desperate attempt to take them, if not more.  But three great battles in one week had exhausted officers and men, and it was absolutely necessary to rest.

=Fellowship and Work at the Modder.=

This was the opportunity for the Christian workers.  On the march or in the battle all that they could do was to speak a word of cheer as often as possible.  Christian soldiers could not meet for fellowship; all that they could do was occasionally to have a hearty hand-grip or shout ‘494,’ as a comrade passed by.  With the shout of ‘494’ they went into the battle, and when they came out their little Christian company was sorely depleted.  But now they had time to look round, to count up their losses, to greet their comrades of other regiments again, to receive fresh accessions to their ranks.

=The Soldiers’ Home.=

Mr. Percy Huskisson, of the South African General Mission, quickly secured the use of the native day school, which was also the worship room for the Wesleyan natives, and fitted it up as a Soldiers’ Home.  He and his colleague, Mr. Darroll, were indefatigable in their efforts on behalf of the men, and night by night the newly transformed Home was crowded.  Lord Methuen himself opened it, and personally thanked the workers for their splendid services on the field of battle.  In the course of his address, he said:  ’I have heard of newspaper correspondents risking their lives when they are well paid for it, but you fellows seem to have no idea of danger; the shadow of the Almighty seems over you, or you would have been, ere this, in your graves, with many more of our brave men.’  But under the shadow of the Almighty, the workers were secure, and are secure to-day!

=Local Helpers in Good Work.=

One of the best helpers the chaplains had was Mr. Westerman, who held an important position on the railway line, and who was steward of the Wesleyan Church at Modder River.  He had been a prisoner among the Boers for six weeks, and on many occasions they had threatened to shoot him as a spy.  They had not, however, injured him or his property in any way.  It was, therefore, a most unfortunate occurrence that this good man’s house and furniture should have been wantonly damaged by British soldiers on their arrival at the place.  Evidently they thought the house belonged to a Boer.  An order was, of course, promptly issued stopping such wanton destruction for the future.