Fighting McKenzie – ANZAC Tract (50pk)

This tract comes in a pack of 50
It is a 4 paged A7 folded tract (A6 folded in half)

On April 25th, 1915, Australian troops landed at Gallipoli. So began the legend of the ANZACs that we remember each year.

As we commemorate the 100th Anniversary of World War 1 (1914-18), let us remember not only the men and women who have served our country in times of war and conflict, but those who served them.

One such man was Army Chaplain, Captain William (Mac) McKenzie. ‘Fighting Mac’, as he became known, cared for his men’s eternal and earthly lives and made it his habit of staying with his men even in the heat of battle, as he did at Lone Pine in August 1915.

One soldier remembered him saying before they charged the Turks, “Boys, I’ve preached to you, and I’ve prayed with you, and do you think that I am afraid to die with you?…” McKenzie then followed them over the top carrying only a spade.

Why did he care so much? Was he simply carrying out a duty, or was there more to it. McKenzie wrote in his diary, “One is very near to the eternal here, …. marching in step with the sinister shadow of death.”

In one three-day period, Fighting Mac conducted 647 funeral services. After one funeral service he found three bullet holes in his hat.

After the battle of Lone Pine, McKenzie found the body of a young Scot whom he had led to Christ the day before. In the man’s pocket was a letter to his God-fearing mother, telling her of his decision for Christ.

The fact is, McKenzie knew he was dealing with men who might die at any time, and this leant urgency to his work. However, even in peace-time, men and women die.

Like ‘Fighting Mac’, the person who gave you this cares for you. Though you may not know them, they cared enough to share with you the same message that McKenzie shared with his men.

What is that message?

Just like the men and women who have served in our military, you and I cannot claim to be good. Although we might think of ourself as a good person when compared to someone like Hitler, when compared to God and his perfect law we fall far short. Try this little test and see for yourself.

1. Have you ever told a lie?
2. Have you ever stolen anything, regardless of its value?
3. Have you ever used God’s name in vain?
4. Have you ever hated anyone? The Bible says whoever hates his brother is a murderer.

If you answered ‘yes’ to the above, then God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer-at-heart. You would be guilty when you face God on Judgement Day. The Bible says the ‘wages of sin is death’, which is why you and I deserve hell.

However, the Bible also says that God, Who is rich in mercy, loved you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to suffer and die on a cross in our place, that whoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death.

To all who repent (turn from their sin) and put their trust in Christ’s death and resurrection, God will grant the gift of everlasting life

This is the message that ‘Fighting McKenzie’ dedicated his life to sharing. I ask you to consider it today. You may not have tomorrow.