Union soldier Charles W. Merrill, like countless others of his time, carried a pocket-sized New Testament with him as a source of solace and inspiration during the grim days of the Civil War. Little did he know that this cherished book would one day become a literal shield, protecting him from a musket ball that could have taken his life.
On a fateful day in 1863, amidst the chaos and violence of battle, Merrill found himself on the front lines of the conflict. As musket balls whizzed through the air, and the cacophony of war raged around him, he took a moment to reflect on the comforting words of his New Testament. Clutching it tightly, he held it close to his chest as he faced the relentless storm of bullets.
Then, in a split second that must have felt like an eternity, disaster struck. A musket ball, fired by an enemy soldier, found its mark, piercing the air with deadly intent. It was a moment of sheer terror and desperation. But in that very instant, the New Testament, now a symbol of faith and protection, intervened.
The musket ball struck the small Bible with astounding precision, causing the lead projectile to deform and lose its lethal force. Instead of penetrating Merrill’s chest and causing mortal harm, the bullet was stopped in its tracks, cradled within the pages of the book.
Charles W. Merrill, perhaps in shock and disbelief, opened the New Testament to find the deformed musket ball embedded within its sacred text. It was an extraordinary moment of divine intervention, a testament to the power of faith, and a stunning symbol of hope amidst the horrors of war.
