A Soldier's Lost Home

Pierre Hurlat, one of the keenest eyed gunners in the French army along in 1860, gathered together by his thriftiness enough money to buy a little cottage at Sevres Bridge. Pierre was proud of his home in which he and his wife looked forward to spending their old age. But 1870 came and the Franco-Prussian War broke out.

Old Pierre was conscripted for the war. We now find the Germans in possession of Sevres, and Pierre is at the back of the gun that is situated on the heights of Valeria that overlook Sevres. General Neil rides up to the famous gunner and says, “Pierre.” He salutes the General.

“Do you see that little house by the bridge?’ Pierre nodded. “Well, that is a nest of Germans and the house must be destroyed. I want you to point your gun at that house and let us see what you can do.”

Pierre primed his gun, and the old skill was in his nerve and muscle and eye and through the opening in the wall, he points his gun at this cottage. There is a flash, a roar and the General ex- claims, ‘““Well done, Pierre! Well hit! The house is demolished.”

The tears were streaming down Pierre’s face and General Neil no- ticed them after a while and said, “Pierre, what is wrong?” Ina broken voice, Pierre replied, “That house, sir, was my home.” Home to the most of people is the best spot in the world. As the hearers enter into the understanding of what it meant to Pierre, their emotional nature is aroused to action within them.

Class 6. Illustrations that show the power of God to save no matter from what depths he has to lift the sinner. Some in the congregation may be aware of their great sinfulness. They may be doubtful of God’s power to save them.

Such illustrations show that God can save no matter how far from Him the soul may have wandered.