The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1877-01-26

"They do, my boy but not with stones
and sticks-not, that is to say, Christ s
soldiers. Are you ashamed to fight uu-
der Christ's banner, Frank" said the
minister. "Do you not mean to be a
brave, faithful soldier, taking up the
fight against the world, the flesh, the
devil, and persevering in it by Gods
grace until your liie's end!
The boy looked up earnestly, eyes, sir,
I do wish it, and l mean it too when
you are talking to me, or when we are in
church and sing that hymn we had to
night; but then, you see, j. Is hard to do
it when the time really comes"
''It is hard, Frank, but then you are
not alone; Christ is with you to help you
conquer yourself and your evil inclina-
tions. He does not leave you when
temptations come, either from the world
or your own heart, or companions who
wish to make you do wrong. But you
must not wish only, you must act Be-
gin tonight, and the first thing which
happens to make it hard for you to be
patient, or kind, or humble, just then
remember that Christ your Master is
calling you to bear witness for him."
Frank ran off, determined to try to act
OH the advice given him; for he was a
we'll disposed, thoughtful boy, in spite of
hot temper and many other faults.
Before he had gone twenty yards, the
same lads face appeared from behind a
hedge, and in mocking tone he took
up the hymn which Frank had been
humming when they met before; but the
little fellow this time passed on sturdily
though his face flushed crimson"
"There," said he to himself, 4 have
fought one battle and gained a victory
over myself; for oh, how I should have
liked to pitch into him!"
In less than two minutes Franks
great friend and chief companion came
running up.
Crank, Frank, don't be in such
hurry! We are out early, so you can
come for walk tonight"
Now Mrs. Wilton had told Frank
always to come straight home when
service was over, and though now and
then he had disobeyed, he meant to fight
tonight against the temptations SO he
refused Charles request, and trotted on
homewards, feeling somewhat pleased
with himself.
"MOther Mother! | came straight
home, though Charlie Reed did want
me to 60 for a walk, l fought against the
temptation, though it was pretty hard,
can tell you, and" but here Franks
voice changed from exuItation to anger,
as he caught sight of his little brother,
who was handling somewhat roughly
one of his school-prizes, and, without a
moments thought, he had seized the
book and given Harry sharp box on
the ear.
go Frank, Frank" said his mother,
as the tried to quiet her younger child
sobbing "when will you conquer that
hasty temper? When shall see you
fighting like a good soldier of Jesus
Christ until you gain the victory over
yourself"
Don't, mother! don't talk like that"
cried Frank, with tears starting to his
eyes. 81 know it ALL and I wish to do
it; and this very evening Mr.. We're was
talking to me, and made up my mind
to try, and did try, mother, and l sue
ceeded too; but, you see, I've broken
down at last, and all about such little
thing, too !" and the boy sobbed with
vexatiOn at his failure. But he soon
cheered up when his mother talked to
him, and told him that not by one effort
but by many, not by one battle but a
constant steady combat against self and
against sin, do we at length become con-
qucrors, and t&at they alone arc worthy
to be called Christ's soldiers who enlist
in his service with brave true hearts,
and, in spite of many a fall and many
failure, perseverc until their lives end
Chaterb0r.
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