The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-01-08
Week of PRAYER.

Rev. DR.. Smaller preached the fifth sermon of
the series yesterday from the text in Judges 1:
19-"He drove out the inhabitants of the
mountains but could not drive out the inhabi-
tants of the valleys, because they had chariots
of iron." These words stand connected with
an interesting historical event. Years before
that land had been promised to the faithful
servants of God, but they had passed away and
generations of their DESCENDANTS; but the
promise remained. In His own time and way
God had brought the Hebrews into Canaan,
aud yet in such way that they were to use
every appropriate means to obtain possession
of the land. The territory was divided, but
their foes were not all subdued. Moses and
Joshua were dead, but as the remaining enc.
mics became strong and fought against them,
they used such leadership as was practicable
and expelled them. 1t was in connection with
such case that the event mentioned in the
text occurred. Judah in the south fought
against the remnant of the Canaanites and
drove out the dwellers on the hills, but could
not conquer those in the valleys, because they
were better armed. From this incident we may
derive practical lessons. God designed that
Israel should conquer and drive out all their
enemies; but there were some of them that
they could not or did not subdue. The ones
mentioned in the text had better means of
defence, and the Israelites took counsel of their
fears. The true reason was that they had not
sach strong faith in God as their fathers had /;
for if they had been like Joshua in his battle
with the confederate kings, neither chariots of
iron nor any other implements of war would
have terrified them. From this Gods people
in all ages may learn lesson of value to them.
God now has people as dear so Him as was
ancient Israel,-a people that seek to know and
do His will. and who may be sure that the
Lord is on their side. But they meet with foes
on every side, and the way is one of conflict.
All in the world are on one side or the other:
he that is not with Christ is against him; and
Gods people are to contend for the true ard the
right. Sometimes their foes are more powerful
or artful than at others, and then the conflict
will be more severe. Sometimes their foes
have better armOr and a more favorable posi-
ton. In the city the hosts of sin are better
entrenched than in the country; but the friends
of truth are to confide in God and they will
prevail. They are to look at the strength and
resources of their foes, and plan wisely and
well in the struggle against them. They are to
study to excel them in all noble ways and
means, and deeds; and are to remember that
the race is not always to the swift nor the
battle to the strong, but to those who have
God and truth on their side. They are to have
strong faith in the justice of their cause; for
God has not forsaken His church or forgotten
His Word. His people fail because they are
sinful; when they hear Gods call and regain
confidence in His power, then they will begin
to triumph. 1t is to promote this feeling that
these meetings have been held; and if they
tend to bring Christians near to God, they will
not be in vain. But the lesson applies to ind-
viduals-to each Christian life; for each life is
warfare and every Christian knows this by
experience: foes within and foes without.
Some of these we easily overcome. but
others are not readily subdued Like the in
habitants of the valleys, they have chariots of
iron. In the valleys of the heart we find
strongly entrenched foes, and we may be too
timid and overrate their power The sins that
so easily beset us might long ago have been
overcome if we had been more courageous
We may have forgotten the promised presence
of God; for if He is with us in all our Spiritual
conflicts, numbers will be as nothing: we shall
always conquer; for they that be for US are
more than they that be against u.s. Let our
constant and earnest prayer be Lord, increase
our faith" then we shall be ready to say with
Caleb and Joshua, 'Let us go up and possess
the land, for We are well able to overcome it,
There is revival in progress at the Pine
street church. Miss Clark, the singer, is
assisting in the services. Meetings are held
every evening, and are crowded.