The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-04-23
MODERN EPHRAIMITES.

The children of Ephraim being armed and carry
ing bows, turned back in the day of battle-Psalm
xvii 9.
True courage commends itself to ALL
There is sham courage, which wastes itself
in words, shows itself on parade, and carry
ing arms in time of peace. The children of
Ephraim we're great soldiers in their way
they we're fine on drill being armed and
carrying bows-the instruments of warfare
in their day-their parade was imposing.
Probably they were great takers about
what they would do, how they would fight.
But the time came when all their courage
was needed, the day of battle. Il was not
found when it was wanted. They turned
back in the day of battle"
Some peoples religion is like paper um-
brella, good enough to look at, when it is not
wanted, but of no manner Of use in thunder
shower.
A painted fire is good enough when the
Thermometer is at 80, but is of no practical
value in cold weather.
Smith was sn Ephraimite. He was great
temperance man at the temperance meeting.
he signed the pledge and cheered the speak:
ers. he denounced all drinkAg ja
But the day of trial came. He went from
home was asked to drink in company; all
his temperance courage fed. His principles
were good enough for show, but not good for
use.
Jones was an Ephraimite. He thought he
was converted, professed Christ, joined a
church, was most jealous Christian till the
day of trial came. There was chance of
making large sum of money by little
fraud and slightly warping the truth. 1t
was Jones's first trial, and his religion col
lapsed before it like soap bubble.
Johnson too was an Ephraimite. He was
bold professor, and talked religion by the
hour. With him it was "We ought to do
this" and "we ought to do that" He was
very severe on what he termed weakened
Christians. He was not ashamed of his reli-
gion, not he, he said he wore the heay-
euly panoply and was proud of his armor.
He spoke at the fellowship meeting about the
sword of the Spirit, the helmet of salvation,
and the shield of faith. You would have
thought he was hero-one of David's first
three mighty men-but he did not know the
day of battle was so near. The next day he
was invited into worldly company, little
above him in position; he forgot his religion
and denied bis Lord. His wife invited a
worldly companion to be their guest; they
were ashamed to read the Bible and have
family prayer before her. The next day
party of worldlings were invited, out of re-
spect for the guest. At the party, no respect
was had for Christ. He was unCeremoniously
dropped out Johnson did not fall in the
fight of faith. He never even grappled with
the enemy, but like the children of Ephraim
turned back in the day of battle.
Jameson and his wife were of the same
tribe. Both were said to be very religious.
They were great takers. "Battling for the
Lord" was their favorite song. But, like
the descendants of Ephraim, they would not
fight. They were weak as children in the
hour of temptation. When requested to
teach the young, visit the sick, assist the
poor, or give to the cause of Christ, or do
anything involving fight with self, they
turned back; they did not believe in that
sort of religion. If they owed anything to
God, of which they seemed to have some
doubt, they hoped he would take it out in
prayer and profession, as that suited them
better. They were fine on parade, but no
good in the day of battle. They belonged
to the Molusca class, soft and fabby.
If there is anything needed, more than
another, in the present day, it is Christians
with backbone, that can stand up before the
enemy, and work and fight, as we'll as speak
and sing, for Christ.
Turning back in the day of battle is cow
ardly and traitorous. All such will be found
at the head of the list Of those who partake
Of the second deash.-Rev. xxi: 8.