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Appendix

APPENDIX

The following extracts from letters of condolence received by the family of Colonel Ball-Acton will be an appropriate sequel to the story of his life, affording as they do a further insight into his character and influence. The various religious societies with which he was connected sent resolutions expressing deep sympathy and regret, but the quotations are limited to appreciative utterances of a more intimate and personal nature.

A former soldier of the Colonel's regiment writes a letter which may be considered as typical:

' Regarding dear Colonel Acton, I owe my conversion chiefly to him. He took a great interest in my welfare, and always wished me to lead a good life. Once I got a little out of the way, and he gave me a good talking to, and remarked that he knew there was something good in me — that I must trust in God, and not yield to temptation. The time came when I gave my heart to God, and I have much to be thankful for to God and to the Colonel. I have, since leaving the regiment, devoted my whole spare time to temperance and mission work, and now for thirty years I have been fighting against the drink traffic. . . . The Colonel's zeal for mission work was his glory, and no gentleman ever led a more consistent life. He always tried to do his uttermost for the comfort and benefit of the rank and file. Some could not see eye to eye with him regarding his Christian principles in barracks, but in danger it was all swept away. His principles and Christian spirit were proved in the Afghanistan campaign, where he gained the goodwill of all the regiment for his kind-heartedness in looking after those on outpost duty exposed to the extreme cold and the enemy, by making constant visits to the sentinels, and getting them relieved every hour, and having hot coffee and pea-soup for them. This saved many from being frozen to death, as you may judge when it froze the water they carried in the bottles at their side. We have proved he is the " Soldiers' Friend." He would hold his Bible class and prayer-meetings in some cave or place of shelter, and one of the greatest blasphemers we had in the regiment was converted through his influence on that field of battle. He used to ride from the camp through the Khyber Pass unprotected to visit the sick and dying at Jumrood. Forward in battle and danger, we want more commanders like Colonel Acton. He was my best friend in this world.'

This naive statement shows that the Colonel did not neglect the physical welfare of his men while looking after their spiritual condition.

These are one or two specimen extracts from the numerous letters written by officers in the army:

' I heard it said that one day Colonel Ball-Acton was under a heavy fire, and one of the sergeants implored him to take shelter; but Colonel Ball-Acton turned to him, and said, pointing to heaven, " No, my man, thank you — thank you ; but there is One up there who is taking care of me." '

* He lived a perfect life, thinking only of others, and was most ready to give with a hand of unsparing charity.'

(He was) 'one who ever maintained the character of a prominent and consistent Christian officer.'

Other friends write of him thus :

' A man of singular uprightness and fearless moral courage ; full of the earnestness of his convictions, and yet extending to those who did not think with him the same courtesy and kindness that many offer only to their friends.'

' A noble, Christian soldier, using every influence for the good of others.'

* His memory will last among all here as that of a true Christian, kind and benevolent to all, following closely the example of his Master.'

1 Of all men, I have never known any other so honest in right, so commanding of respect.'

A clergyman writes as follows :

' In speaking yesterday from the pulpit of his kind and truly gentle disposition, his unselfishness, his labour and earnestness for the good of others, I referred to his death as a " translation." Such it was. We can ill afford the loss of such saintly men as he. The world is the poorer for his loss, but its loss is his gain.'

Other clergymen offer similar testimony. A few sentences only can be taken out of many letters :

' I know not a Christian person here ' (Worcester) ' who did not feel an interest in him and an admiration for his faithfulness, and love, and simplicity of character.'

' I was struck again and again with his enthusiasm for the good causes with which his name in Worcester wa§ so closely associated.'

e I shall always remember him myself as an earnest and humble-minded Christian, and, if I may be allowed to say so, I think few more suitable words could be inscribed on his memorial than the words, " A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ." '

A doctor at Worcester writes :

' I know from my professional work here amongst the poor how greatly he was missed when he left. Would that there were more men like him!'

-These tributes might be multiplied almost indefinitely. But the words which follow may sum up the whole.

A friend says of Colonel Ball-Acton :

'Only God's great day will declare how large was his influence on others for good, and how many will trace the beginning of their true life to his life and words.'

They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.'

THE END

BILLING AND SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, GUILDFORD TO THE BELOVED, UNDYING MEMORY OF
COLONEL CHARLES BALL-ACTON, C.B.,
WHO DIED FEBRUARY 3, 1897,
THIS STONE WAS ERECTED BY HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN.

' Mark the perfect (=consistent) man, and behold the upright : for the end of that man is peace.' — Psa. xxxvii. 37.
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