Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-03-26
&rading fur the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
GOD OUR SHIELD.

In ancient times no warriors equipment
was complete without shield; indeed, 1t was
his principal means of defense. With it he
turned aside the swift arrows and fiery darts
of his enemies, warded off the sharp sword
thrust or protected himself from the shower
of stones or other missiles. 1t was worn upon
the left arm and proved most effectual de-
tense while the wearer faced the foe, but
formed not the least covering for a coward s
back. 1t was considered such disgrace for
one to lose his shield, or be wounded in the
back, that the patriotic Spartan matrons ended
their parting salutations to their sons, Return
with your shields or upon them"
As shields were necessity in ancient war
fare, they varied in size, shape, or material,
according to the notions or resources Of the
people, In the earliest ages they were made
of the bark of trees, osier willows, and the
skins of animals; but as nations advanced in
wealth and civilization, shields were made of
brass, steel and other metals and often of
great beauty of finish, though none the less
means of defense. They might almost be
looked upon as exponents of the degree of
refinement to which nation had attained.
As weapons of otfense changed, those of
defense changed, and shields gradually d.
minished in size, but gained in beauty and
adornment, until, at last, they became mere
ly armorial bearings, to display heraldic de-
signs.
Shields are no longer used in modern war
fare, and as we have no practical illustration
of the protection afforded by them, we lose
much of the force of the Psalmist's exclama-
tion, "Thou, o Lord, art our shield"
Many passages in the Bible that make
mention of the goodness or greatness of God
are beautifully illustrated by the modes of
agriculture, or warfare, or the peculiar GUS
toms of the times in which they were written,
and we need fully to understand these in or
der to appreciate the beauty or force of such
passages. When Abraham was sojourning
in land whose inhabitants were continually
at war, God spoke unto him, "Fear not, 1 am
thy shield" And so, all down through the
ages, he was the shield of all that put their
trust in him.
He led Israel from bondage, often delivered
them from their foes when every help of man
was vain; sustained David when hunted as a
partridge on the mountains, or hidden in the
dens from the relentless Saul; protected the
timorous Elijah from the prosecutions of Jeze-
bel. Indeed, the Holy Book is full of con-
6rmation that God has ever been Sun and
shield to His chosen people.
Paul, amid all his hardships by sea and
land, his "6ghtings without and fears within" !"
ever found God his "shield and exceeding
great reward" and after his varied experience
exhorts us to put on the whole armour Of
God, "above all taking the shield Of faith"
This shield does not promise immunity
from bodily hurt, but it protects that which
is of infinitely more value-the soul. So
long as witt y.r face to the foe we follow the
Captain of our salvation, he will lead us on
to victory, and nothing shall be able to hurt
or destroy the soul that is protected by the
"shield of faith in Him. No subtle, sim
poisoned arrow of unholy desire, no sword
thrust of worldly policy, no shower of thick
rushing temptations shall be able to over.
come its power, for "God is our strength and
shield, and nothing shall prevail against
Him. m."-American Messenqer.