Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1880-06-05

talking. But we are to do t0hats0eu.
or Christ has commanded. And let
us remember that what is required of
us, is to do these things, and not
merely approve of them and to 60 on
our way. The son in the parable
who said to his father: 81 go not"
but afterward repented and went, is
commended more than the one who
said: 81 60, sir" but went not. The
strength and effectiveness OF our
churches, is in those who are found at
their posts of duty-in those who are
found ever doing for Christ. Such
are pillars and bulwarks Of strength in
Zion; and what is more, such are ever
going from strength to strength. They
grow in grace, grow in moral beauty,
and are growingly happy. They can
say in truth that to "do the will OF
God is more than their meat and
drink" 1t is their life and JOY.
Such christians are not troubled with
spiritual dyspepsia, nor with fainting
ifits AncholY. nor do they fall in
to doubling castle; or AgetI caught
sleeping on Enchanted Ground; but
with hearts ever strong and free, are
found marching like good soldiers Of
Christ cheerfully at the head of their col
umns, and their step and their tone
seem to say: "Let us on to victory"
Another test of good soldier is
ability to endure hardness. We have
all witnessed military displays on hol-
iday occasions, when holiday soldiers,
with holiday uniforms all bright and
shiny, carrying bright unstained BAN
ners, and led by holiday bands with
instruments all bright and polished,
have performed ON the green, to the
delight Of the spectators. And all
this was well. But then this was not
the place, nor this the occasion on
which to select good soldiers. If you
would know who are good soldiers,
take such as have endured the long
marches, and have not quailed be-
for the cannon's mouth, and have
stood by through all the hardships of
the campaign, and returned under bat
tle-rent flags, still keeping step to the
music of victory, and in these wall
tried heroes who have endured hard
ness, you have soldiers worthy Of the
name.
The tests of a soldier are vlgor,
courage, constancy. The little ar
my of Ancient Sparta, by virtue of
these qualities that had been
into them from their youth,
easily defied the world. There was
no hardness but they could endure,
and we're willing to endure for their
country. These things made them
the ideal soldiers of all time.
And to be an acceptable follower
of Christ we must be willing also to
harness. 1t is not to life
Of ease and self-indulgence that we
are called, but of labor and self-de-
nial. The rest, the reward and
glory will be by and by. But
they are for such as can show wear
and wounds. "What hast thou
done for me?" will be the basis of
all rewards. A little more than two
years ago, number of us who were
boys together in the same country
neighborhood, but all Of whom are
now ministers of the gospel, got to-
gether for a visit. The first Ques-
tion of the oldest of our number, as
he sat down, was: swell, boys,
want to hear how mnch you have
suffered for Christ. l don't want to
know how large churches you have,
OR what honors you have received,
but how much you have suffered 7"
That was his way of ascertaining
how faithful we had been and how
closely we had walked to the Mas
ter. And so 1 sometimes think that
the one question in heaven will be:
"What have we suffered for Christ ~
Have we denied ourselves in any
respect for Him? Have we been
willing to be deprived of ease, and,
if need be, of gain and reputation,
that Christ might be honored and
his cause advanced 7 Have we, in
short, 'endured hardness as good
soldiers of Jesus Christ Z"
But final, and yet most impor.
tant qualification of good soldier
that l would name, is patriotism
love of cause and country. 1t was
patriotism that carried us through
as nation in our first great birth
struggle for independence; and
that gave us our second birth in de-
livering us from the domination of
the slave power. Had there been
no patriotic Outburst Of Indignation,
and of enthusiasm for the flag of
our country, when Sumpter was
fired on, we might well have de-
SPARED. But the spirit that caused
10000 men to offer themselves for
their cOuntry's service, almost before
the Presidents call had been taken
from the wires, meant ultimate VIC
tory. True patriotism always does.
1t is unconquerable. 1t begets
loyalty, obedience, fidelity, vigi-
lance, and inventiveness, and laughs
at hardship.
Now spiritual patriotism, i. e.,
love Of Christ and his cause, is the
supreme qualification of the Christ
ian soldier. With that comes forth.
cheerfulness, courage, gentleness,
prayerfulness, vigilance, liberality,
selt-denial, and every quality that
augurs success. What our church.
es need more than anything else is
a baptism of lOve-of holy patriot.
ism for Jesus and his truth. Then
like a holy army would they move
on to the conquest of the world.
The one thing that the early church
had was lOre. Of sanctuaries, and
commentaries aud school of sacred
learning, and almost all such appli-
ances they were destitute; but they
were charged with love that knew
no bounds-a love that Overcame
the power of the world, and kept
them ever talking about Jesus and