’The next day being Sunday, my first thought was to make arrangement for services.  I interviewed the General, and he allowed me to fix my own time—­an hour later than the Church of England parade—­in order that the men of the 14th Brigade might be able to come down.  On Sunday morning I held my first parade service with my regiment.  There was a splendid attendance—­men of the Borderers, Cheshires, Lancs, Engineers, and many from the other Brigade.

=A Service on the Veldt.=

’At the close of the morning service, after a conversation among themselves, several stepped out and asked for an evening service.  I had not intended holding one, as I thought they had been marching for weeks and were tired and weary, and had clothes to wash and mend, and this might be their only opportunity for weeks, perhaps; so I asked that all who wished for an evening service would put up their hands.  Every man did so, and the Colonel was only too glad to arrange it for me.  That evening, half an hour after the time for tea, we met again on the open veldt, in front of our lines, and we had a splendid muster—­more than the morning.  The hymns went splendidly.  Two soldiers led in prayer—­short and very earnest—­then we sang and prayed.  Two addresses by two more soldiers—­straight and good and to the point—­addresses which had a deep effect upon all.  Another hymn, then I spoke to them about the “Standard of Jesus,” and we felt the power of the presence of God.  Kneeling on the veldt, man after man broke down.  Many openly confessed their sin, others rejoiced in true Methodist style.  Even then they were not satisfied; a prayer-meeting was asked for and all stayed.  It was truly a grand prayer-meeting.  Prayers and hymns followed free and fast, and many at the close, as they pressed forward to shake hands with me and thank me for coming, said it was one of the happiest Sundays of their life.  “More like a Sunday at home sir, than any we have had out here; we did not know what Sunday was before.”  Many found peace with God that night and determined to lead a new life.

’That night I got permission to have hymns sung in the lines, and you should have heard the Welsh hymns as they rose and fell in the night air.  Men crowded from all parts.  Officers and men jostled in the crowding ring while the sweet melodies and beautiful harmonies thrilled every soul.  It was a happy ending to a happy day.  The Colonel has asked me to arrange for this hymn-singing every Sunday night, for he says it is very beautiful, and not only is it highly appreciated by the men, but it has a beneficial influence on them.

’On Tuesday I had permission to arrange a camp concert.  We had a huge wood fire.  A wagon drawn up served for a platform.  The Colonel took the chair.  The officers were in the ring and the men grouped around.  It was a weird and romantic sight—­all those laughing and appreciative faces in the flickering fire-light—­and we had a very pleasant evening.