Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-01-03

from the fall of man to this hour. How
is our own beloved country now distract
! ed and torn by this most terrible of al
fearful scourges. Man is not right will
his God. His authority is discarded
His law not recognized, His name i
grossly profaned, his institutions desc
Grated. How do the mass Of men live
as if there was no God.
1t is equally true that man, with sucl
a character, cannot possibly enter the
kingdom of Heaven. That eternal lie
for which they might live, labor ana
fight will be forfeited. As Christ said
to Nicodemus, Except ye be born again
ye cannot enter into the kingdom ot
Heaven" As also to the Jews, Except
ye be converted, and become as little
children ye cannot enter into the king
dom of Heaven" The Revelation de-
clares that "There shall in no wise enter
into it any thing that defileth, neither
whether whatsoever worketh abomina-
ton, or maketh lie; but they that are
written in the Lambs book of life"
Though the requisite means are pro-
vided, yet their individual application
requires human ins.rumentality, as ir the
case Of the soldier. Their practical use
in the future of the individual is indis-
pensably necessary. All have sinned,
and all are required TO exercise hearty
repentance towards God. The voice ul
inspiration is Except ye repent ye shall
all Likewise perish" "He (God) now
commandelh all men everywhere to re-
peut because He hath appointed day
IN which He will Judge the world in
righteousness" Man, of himself is n
helpless being, SO that without divine aid
he will certainly fail. God has seen fl
10 protfcr all needlul aid on the condition
Of its being asked for, in the name OF
Christ. Ardent ald frequent prayer i,
indispensable.
Any man on the Christian battle field
will be foiled and overcome by hi,
spiritual foes unless lie looks arGeutly to
God for help. The sinner should pray
the prayer of the publican. Every
Christian should pray the prayer o.
Peter, Lord save or / perish" All
should seek the Lord while he may bt
found, and call upon him while he i,
near." To be separated from Christ.
the great "captain Of our salvation" j.
to throw ourselves defenselessly into the
hands of our enemies.
The good soldier in the application Of
his preparation for an aggressive or de,
tensiye war, places full confidence in the
courage and military skill Of his com
marding general. His success would be
of the most doubtful character should hr
cut loose from the directions of his lead
rr. SO spiritually "without faith it l.
impossible 10 Him." (God), Without the
favor of God all attempts at success will
be of the most futile and hopeless char
acter. But they that "belieye on the
Lord jesus Christ shall be saved" Full
confidence, not only in the means that he
has provided, and the fact of his ability
and willingness to save but also that he
t0W SaUe uS-carry US through the war
fare of life, will insure in the end com
pIete victory over all our spiritual foes.
That he will "rout, discomft and scatter
all our enemies; and at last conquer
mans "last enemy" death literal, gather
ing soul and body reunited to the prom
ised land.
AS the good soldier will not delay to
make all needful preparations for Sc
we're, dangerous and eventful campaign,
so will no wise person delay till after
death TO make preparation for eternity.
lie knows that if be would share in the
victory gained through Christ, lie must
be not only prepared, but actually "war
a good warfare" in this life. The work
cannot be performed after death. Every
command, admoniiion, caution and ex-
hortation in reference TO mans spiritual
interests, are given, urged and enforced
in the present tense. Every promise of
success, and every encouragement to
hope are presented in view of present
action. Christ says "wcrk while it is u
day, the night cometh wherein no man
can work" There is no intimation that
any thing can be done in the future world
TO affect our salvation but directly the
reverse. To-day if We will hear his
voice harden not your heart" The wise
man requires that all shall be done here.
Whatsoever thy hand indeth to do, do /,
it with thy might; for there is no work,
no device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in
the grave whittier thou goest." The un-
fortunately lost will be hopelessly re-