New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-11-16
FIGHTING FAITH.

FIGHTING FAITH.
m Rev cAar<s p al ne CAurcA Of ns s'raa7ers
The Rev. Charles F. Deems, at the Church
81 the strangers the subject OF his sermon to
he "ghtng Faith" based the 1Ith chapter OF Gene
ala which be then read. This chapter narrates the
battles of four kings against five, IN which Lot was
taken prisoner the subsequent rescue by Abraham the
blessing Of Melehizedek, and the division Of the spoil
The first lesson he said that learn from this chap
ter is that children of cannot avoid in this
world being epwrapped in the meshes Of the quarres OF
sinners. II any says will live quiet peacefu
nfe free from the troubles and disputes OF my neigh
sors he soon finds II TO impossible Men OF peace OF
positive always get involved IN some one
elses quarrels. Lot, Melchizedek, and Abraham are
examples OF tubs. They all for different reasons
peaceful Lot was the type OF thrifty Christian
He wanted peace so as TO make money. Abraham
was d pure and holy man. who was lifted
up above the world in high and scene
he toward God- MechEedek was priest
Yet these became involved In strange war.
The question naturally arises How must we behave I'VE
when We are involved in which sinners create We
cannot mistake DUTY If we lead lives OF alth ike
Abraham, aud base action on the teaching and
example Of Christ All Christian men are peaceoyers
and strive 10 90 the things that make lor peace wars
and wars Of rescue Offensive wars are always wrong
TIE blow and nothing Justihes an offensive
war Wars or violence and oppression have their origin
In the luss Of punder and OF power. war OF defense
not always right II may be right ana
sword arst Of all Defensive wars are OF two kinds
weak ana strong. weak defense is wrong II you
know that you cannot succeed the war must be stopped
There Of keeping quarrel, even If you are
right when the certain result VIII be TO continue tne
war aud the quarrel and to prolong stfle. strOne
defensive may be right only when II can Dc success
fonpded. Wars Of rescue are always right Worldly
men sneer religion and say that religion makes
is not So The bravest men the sun has
ever shOne upon have been Chr1sti1ns. Abraham
was q mighty lighter He called OF God to nght
battle while leading quiet Shepherds NE, blt MS
faith strong Faith makes power. aud was shown
My a iVQr (rnm A.
believe in God who can take their iyes In their
rlght nand fight the hattie Of truth. CHRISTIAN war
been the grandest men III history from ADra
ham ~ HtvrlOck Two young men are graduated from
college equal in skill and learning, and each possessing
rare ana executive aoy. one begins life IN
bis fathers counting house aud amasses wealth ana
worldly hoBcrs, While the other chooses 70
enter the ministry and devote his lie and
talents 20 the service OF God. To the world
hing his companion mas made Door cholcc, pu,
often happens 10 him as 1t did to Lot Lot increased
aud Peosrfed ana r W. geryISg tnat
belonged him, his property his 20 IDS hnd his family
aud the mites had forced themselves here and were
made 10 pay tribute II VIII always De so tne sons ..
Ham never have conquered and never will conquer IL
them. We canOOt avoid temptation ana trOdble
by going INTO the worId nor oy s1ns ito t"e E'CI
notice this narrative Is AOrdham's forgiveness OF
Lot The always tue tenderost. Tue nobes
men are always idest to forgive aud to forget
injuries. We notice also that Abraham was ready 10
ngtt for Lot Tue strODg natural all ction OF Abraham
showed itself. A with faith IN God has stronger
IA rural affections tnan ot1er men, woman whose
time nucd tkeu up VIA hOuncss INA, sac IoIse1s
her sucking cnd would do better TO give up her eX s-
.ve IN mat direction and 20 BACK TO heE chI
OBSERVE lurthef Abraham 5 lhIlShdtou' EleI1 h1n
ought to coudemn violence and oppression even where
a concerns ouly his enemy Violence Toward our fenis
rOuses our Indignation, and the III tr athieut ana Op-
press,on Of our ought excite similar feeling
IN our Anranam's faltn made MN say, viii
forth and rescue my IeIatiNe. ooIiets "a lol-
tune sometimes succeed but soldiers VI IdlJh always
men 10 fight put once 10 they the last msn be
conquered. When God wants hero for any fight he
raises him up Notice also AhraDam's friendship with
hIs peiLDbOrs IL Is Wise IAhE 10 ildK IofiuS Ies
with our n,ighbOrs. We ncve can tell whe1 We may
want them. a Graham had behaved himself kindly
toward tUem and lad Won tneir good VIII. IAe entire
art of coutaled IA tAs l4Jh chapter % Genesis
wars IA found TINS chapter. Il Is Il marvellous thing
that Abraham taught NlpoeOn and thar by TIE use OF
means similar those employed by Abraham Napoleon
was enabled TO clange tne face OF EdTop' ana 10 VIA
us rCnoWAcu D1'..es 30 -
sStIfoi man cares nothing Tor the means he viii use
auy lawful means to accomplish Ills object ltls not
the brancy dOIg Dut the gran ieur OF the dcei
d1ns mat cxc.,es our admiration CHRISTIANS nave
aught all tue lessons OF ana all the lessons OF peace
In history. Abraham also showed Ills INDICATION III
victory. There are two occasions in which to marx
eaderust tine fight and after the battle Is over
Is De cool Collected before the Datte satisfied with
Ills plans and preparations ne lmpgesses Us Min us
ieat victory the general SHOWS HE greai
watch man ia tue yictory Moderation
: a cuaracteTisuc Of greatness When the battle VAS
over Abraham put everything back inte Its place.
When the King of sodOm offered 20 pay MIN Abraham
told that he DID not hgdt for piunder. Any man
goes into Hght. either personal religious, or
political aud comes Oul rlcner II scouhdiel. eauer
who gifts GespieaDle man. Abraham to0f
bat restored the goods auI property 10 tie
DWuers Thus Abraham Showed his good fiItn toward
those who fOugAt with him. We may sum up the
points ia ADraham's character, which distinguish
ann as a great and powerful leader; he
was generous fOrGiyug lie showed strong natural
Affection; he indignant AZ violence and wrong
doing; ne exhibited great military skll aud shrewdness;
he was moderate IN victory, aud Kept good falh Win
allies. All these characteristics Ect IL AOranain
ana dstinG ulshed nm as a IN n CHOSEN o. God We
must also observe MS reward. Abraham bowed himself
aud pad tltueS 70 uIu Evidently nc wa
gre iter than Abraham Whe Jraban refused 70 take
sny OF the property. MelcnZ dek accepted these hes
Tor God So a minister OF the Gospl Is not an object
VI charity. He viii NOT LAKE aims W1le lie has strength
70 break stone che street. Bat he Will accept gIts
for Gods poor and tbs building up OF GJrs Kingdom 10
the earth MclcblZ-dek blessed AOrdhain-that was hs
reward. That blessing Va tho gratitude OF King ana
a beuedcuOn "a priest Of the Most High God. Let
confidence. Every where Abraham is type OF our Lori
Lord and SAVIOR. We have gone down into SJdOm TO
make money. We haze got Into trouble, and only
loving tviOr snatch from the hands OF
LIT learn the happy arr 10 Jesus IN every
good man, good woman, AMI every good thing
Wacn Goa calls 10 nSht, let Us DC ready. Put on
the whole aTmOr OF Col t1at may be able 10 stand
against tue the devil, above all, taking the
seld Of faith wherewitn shall De ahls TO quench al
the fiery darts OF wicked and after the batte
over kngs and priests sna bless US ire servants OF
the Most GA GJd the pOssessor Of heaven and earth
CHARACTER; ITS FRIENDS AND FUES.
n y C-ofll ofI grleH Hall