Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-03-06
The True Hero.
BY REV. D. 3. EWING, D. D.

BY REV. D. 3. EWING, D. D.
We are ever liable tobe misled by false
lights or influenced by false views, in
our estimates of heroism. Paul was as
much hero before king Agrippa, as
Leonidas was at ThermopylR and
| Luther as much hero atythe diet of
Worms, as Napoleon was at Lodi, or
Wellington at Waterloo. Because men
play their parts on an obscure arena in
| life's great drama, that is no proof that
| there may not be in their character and
conduct every element of moral sublim-
lty: Deeds of noble daring are PERFORM
ed by thousands which never attract the
gaze of the world, and many man has
performed acts worthy of Immortality
which will never be chronicled on the
pages of the worlds history.
These reflections have arisen in the
writer's mind, from a recent perusal of
the life and labOrs of that man of God
David Livingstone. His name may not
go sounding down the ages with that of
the mighty conquerors of ancient or of
modern days, yet his deeds will tell on
the eternal destinies of man, long ages
perhaps after his name will have been
forgotten. He exiled himself from the
civilized world for more than thirty
years. His home was the wild jungles
OF Africa, his companions the rude saw
ages of that benighted land. Only for
brief period did he enjoy the sweet COM
panionship of that noble wife who fell
finally victim to the malaria of that
inhospitable cline, and who sleeps the
sleep that knows no waking till the
morning OF the resurrection, beneath the
shade of large baobe tree, away in the
centre of Africa. With the native gifts
bestowed on him by his God, especially
with the heindomitahle perseverance which
was his leading characteristic, Living
stone might have arisen to high posts of
honor in his native land. But all his
gifts and attachments he laid as an obla-
ton on the altar Of his God. 'The love
of Christ constrained him." and he went
forth in all the vigor of his manly prime
to carry the torch of eternal truth into
the thick darkness of Africa. Having
put his hand to the plow he would not
turn back. When Stanley found him,
though he was broken down in health,
and he was importuned to go back to his
home in England, he refused. His work
was not done. Great geographical ques-
tiOns were to be settled, and he was de-
termined to contribute his portion to this
determination. Above all his desire was
to find out suitable situations for mis-
sionaries. He wished others to take up
his great iife-wOrk and carry them for
ward. His successors could profit by his
labors, his experience, his exposures
He had given up his life to be pioneer
in opening up the way for the herald of
the Cross, and from this he would not
turn aside till his working days were
done. He did not accomplish all he
wished, yet he did what he could. 9th
ers can now go in and SOW and reap in
the fields he explored. Men of the world
may sneer, but his record is on high
He gave an impulse to missionary enter
prise in Africa, and in the last great day
thousands will call him blessed, and
more than all, from the lips of the great
Judge and Savior he will receive the
plaudit,-''Well done, thou good and
faithful servant" Go thou and do like
wise.