Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-08-10
Religious De par TIM ent.
Rev. VIM. A. ROBINSON, Editor.
Z" In essentials unity, in noa-esseast'dts liberty,
IN all things charity"
Strive TO Enter in at the Strait Gate.

4
The meaning of the word strive in this
connection is agonise 1t is borrowed from
the Greek use of the word in the Olympic
games and denotes the greatest bodily ex-
ertion that can be put forth. Therefore it
is the most expressive word that can be
used in this connection, and marks this
saving of Christ as one of the highest inn
portance.
The strait gate mentioned here is not
merely the entrance to the christian road;
but it has reference to the whole race; or,
if one point must be specified, it is the gate
of heaven, the gate at the end of the road,
for all who are in that road must strive
and continue to strive; they will fall back
and be lost if they cease striving for an
hour, even though they may be almost
there. The christians diligence must not
be relaxed for one hour while he is this
side of heavens door; though his foot may
touch the threshold, and his hand be put
forth to grasp the handle of the door, he
must not cease striving till he is safe with
in. Should he thus cease to strive, he
would go no further, but fall back to earth;
nor would earth break the force of his dis
graceful fall, but he would find himself in
hell, sunk all the deeper for having risen
so high.
,Strive to enter IN. AGoNIZE to enter in.
As he who runs in the race for the prize
taxes to its utmost strength every muscle
that is called into use. strains every nerve |
to pass beyond the rest, controlling the
painting of his breast as best he may, fixing |
his flashing eyes straight forward upon the |
goal, turning no longing look on this side |
or ON that, even for the most tempting OBJ
| ject that is there; so must the christian
agonize, using every faculty God has given
him to its utmost strength, with his eyes
fixed above, where he hopes to reach the
goal at last and be crowned with the VIC
tors wreath. And, too, as he who enters
the chariot race lashes his foaming steeds
and goads them on to their highest speed,
!, lest the one on this side or on that should
hedge up his way or clog his wheels, 50
must the christian use every circumstance
of time and place to hasten himself onward
in his race, lest this or that should hinder
: him in his course.
He who strives to enter in at the strait
5 gate does all this He prays agonizingly.
He calls out with the humble pubEcans,
, "God be merciful to me sinner" He
cries with the apostles, Lord, increase my
: faith" He pleads with sinking Peter,
= 'Lord, save; perish" He asks with new
t ly converted Paul, ''Lord, what wilt thou
have me to D." and he declares in the ear
}, of his Master with resolute Jacob, II will
e not let thee 60 except thou bless me-" His
r mind is on his souls interest. The most
alluring objects in the world fail to draw
0 away his attention from his great theme.
/, Wealth is to him only bauble. 1t gilt
il tiers, to be sure; but he knows by far the
r greatest part of its glitter is false show, and
: the rest is only reflected light. Honor is
G only sounding brass to him. 1t tinkles in
!, deed, but it is dull music to his anxious
S ear, for be has caught an echo of the music
5 above, and the sound has palsied his hear
= ing for any melody less sweet. Pleasure
e, is an empty shell. 1t is splendid in the
lr gaze of worldly eyes, but he knows that q
y breath can blow it away. 1t is garnishec
n with beauty of many hues but these have
at little charm for an eye that has caught
ID glimpse of the celestial turrets and the
lie rainbow round the Throne. His mind il
lie somewhere else. He studies the Bible, too
y, to know what he must do to be saved. Al
'h other books are trash by the side of this
n When he hears the truth he hears for him
t. self, not for others. Every sentence from
Is, the mouth of Gods servant is a shaft aimee
ny at him and he takes reproofs with kind
ng ness and patience, thinking the man O
ce God all the more faithful if he rebukes hi
ne darling sins. And he watches constantly
tn He fears the loss of his soul if he falters
h, He dares not falter, knowing that the Ion
e? arms of temptation which Satan stretcht
go out are waiting to Irvine around him wit
m their fatal clasp, and that if they once clos
're upon him they will drag him down to tn
he bOttomless pit.
eh "Mdny aciN seek TO enter in, and shall ~
les be able" Many will take some pains fc
en securing salvation, and yet will perish b.
n cause they do not take enough. They wi
DC seek but they will not STRIFE Some NAL
" the mistake of thinking they have little
KS nothing to do after conversion but to dri
'n0 idly on the current which they imagine HI
NC set strongly toward heaven. Some mi
JIG take by resting upon an old hope, lookir
III back to past efforts. Some rest easy, b.
II cause they belong to the church and lead
'n0 moral life. Some rest easy from sheer il
on dolence, thinking there is time enough
~ the future. Some cling to the world, al
use hope for the time to come when the wor
'D- will lose its charm. But no; Christ new
'S,' comes in to fill a vacuum. Some hope
III time to seek after death. But the do
h"' of grace is on this side-not on that T,
re- late repentance will be in vain. This do
~ is door of destruction. While runnil
i'h the race all run together. But when Il
az Master is risen up, the door will be shr
INC Some viii be within and some withot
'e's The one must remain righteous still, al
Aen the other filthy still.
'e'' This race is before us all. There is t
Wy gate, and within it stands the Saviour. b
''Ay face is turned this way, and on it rests
en- smile so sweet and glorious that it lighte
ues all the distance down to earth. By q
YOU side are some who have just arrived, ha
"h ing won the race. Some of them bear
q" miliar faces, it may be. He has crown
i them and the bright, new crowns spark
Ing with brilliancy far surprising that of t
~" MONDAY sun. In His arms are some
arc the poor, tired lambs of the flock that
''.' has taken there to rest; perhaps some
tho these look familiar, too; only their fat
I? shine now with the cherub glow of heavt
and Through the open gate can be seen son
the thing of the glory of the city; and as
, listen, perhaps it is not all imaginati
that strikes the ear with gush of swe
est music. But do not stand still and ga
.;s 1t will not do. There is road mark
fol- out, straight and narrow. Notice it we
nor Ruu-sf5iye- uooni zp-or the Uata will 7