Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-05-29
THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE.


THE BRATTLEBoBo OLD SOLDIERS At THE
UNIvERsALrsr CHURCH LAST SUNDAY.
2 Tim. IT,, s-"suGer hardship as good |
soldier Of Christ Jesus"
The observance Of this day is calculated to awaken
the deepest feelings In every PATRIOTS heart. Every
year the death-ro Of the nations defenders slength
ened by thousands Of names, for day passes over
broad land in which the angel of death does not
summon some veteran hero to Join the hosts Of the
great army above How often the freshly. knotted |
Grape, the solemn sound Of the mufied drum and
the sowy-moving procession remind that the num-
Der Of the nations defenders who live earth IL
daily growing less. As the graves Of the heroic sol
the services held 10 commemorate their virtues gain
new meaning and soemnity. Such services are
more than idle ceremony! they are Just expression
Of gratitude TO those who saved the nations fe tboy
keep fresh In memory the gallant deeds Of the Union
" and patriotism. From their deeds and example
impressive eHsong can be learned. Peace has It's
hicts AZ well as war, and the qualities Of an efficient
soldier are also needed Ia spiritual warfare.
Sacrifice in an exalted form was shown In the civil
war Tho army was not composed Of professional
soldiers taste for military affairs love Of fight
ing led the troops 20 enlist, but determined purpose
to crush the rebellion and preserve the nations exist
ence For this purpose they were willing 10 leave tho
comforts and endearments Of home, to endure mani
fold privatonH, and II necessary, to sacrifice life IT,
self They went 70 the strife not blindly, nor from
compulsioni they knew the horrors Of civil war, but
shrank from no peril or pain needful to preserve the
union Of states. on many occasions and in manifold
forms their Eef-Hacrhce was displayed. In the long
forced marches amidst the carnage Of the battlefield
suffering from sickness wounds In the hospitals
dying OF etarVatOn IN HOutnefn prtaOn-ppna, they
showed spirit Of devotion worthy Of all honor.
In peace there also occasions for sacrifice Those
who strive for truth aud Righteousness, who wish 10
make the world happier aud better, must be willing
to torego personal ease to sacrifice private good for
greater public beneht TO endure pryations when
essary for the welfare of the race Devotion 10 God
and humanity measures the worth Of any life. The
true soldier Of Christ Jesus must be willing to endure
hardship, to do the most trying and dihcul duties
with an unfaltering heart.
Energy is another requisite Of an efficient soldier.
Gathered from farms aud shops, from stores and Of
lint
tactics of Only by daily and arduous drill could
they learn the military evolutionq aud gain that ease
aud quckness Of movement necessary upon the
battle. field. Nor did their energy exhaust itself in
preparation for the strife In the early part Of the
war some generals accused Of sloth and tmidlty
but the troops, like the people Of the North,
ious TO go forward aud bring the rebellion 10 speedy
close. Even the most active leaders, like Sheridan
and sherman, knew that their soldiers shrank from
no effort or hardship, but were anxious to do their ut
most to secure Victory. Every regiment was proud Of
its part In the vigorous campaigns Of General Grant
who fought the rebels with such persistence that they
had no tmo to recuperate, but were forced to lay
down their arms The same tireless effort ia needed
in warfare for God Theeaders OF progress civil or
religious have worked with incessant zeal for the
cause 10 which they we're devoted. selfish aud sloth
tnl men do little for the world. Often they block the
wheels Of progress Mems work for humanity de-
Ponds even more upon activity than ability-the
Of talents rather than their possession. May you be
leaders and heroes IN the army OF progress, not COW
ards aud slaves. May every good cause mud In you
willing and alous workers.
The good soldier must be watchful; be must never
be on his guard, never be taken by surprise. Spies
and scouts should bring the general In command
speedy news Of every fresh movement Of the enemy.
At night the pcketa must keep vgilant watch against
danger and surprise Though weAried by incessant
Efforts the sentinel must not sleep at his post for
upon his watchfuness the safety OF the sleeping hosts
depends. The follower Of Christ must also "watch
aud pray" His spiritual foes are cunning aud tire
ess. His only safety IL found in eternal vigilance.
When on his guard he is liable TO suffer painful aud
disastrous defeats Even tue best aud strongest
exposed TO many temptations. In moral warfare the
outer works must be held with stubborn courage for
If the empter gains the citadel Of the heart resistance
Is OF small avail Evil suggestions must DO watched
and excluded II the soul ls to be saved from sin. As
soldiers OF righteousness you should also watch for
opportunities TO overcome evil aud advance the king
dom of God.
Perhaps the prime requisite Of a soldier is courage.
without It the finest equipments, most perfect drill
aud largest resources are in vain with 1t small army
may gain brilliant renown. We are Justly proud OF
the yaor Of soldiers and sailors in the civil war
On many battleh elds the Union troops met unmoyed
the brstliug bayones Of the advancing foe, went
forward through showers Of shot and shell to we'll
earned victory. Sometimes, when taken by surprise
and assaed by larger forces Of the enemy they fought
with such desperate resolution that the rebels
baied, thrown into confusion, and forced retreat
In the service Of God moral courage Of tho utmost
Importance Perhaps It Ia harder to resist wrong i'm
pulses and say NO" TO temptation than TO defeat the
enemy upon the battlefield. To stem the tide OF evil
to conquer eAsy-boseting sins, to advance the
Of humanity and religion high order Of courage Ia
needed Like the apostle Paul you must shrink from
no difficulty or persecution, but be true 10 God
at the cost Of martyrs death.
10 spiritual warfare there are some lessons worthy
Of careful attention Each man is responsible for his
own part Of the batte-not for what takes place in
distant parts Of the field. In great battle where the
lines extend for miles no soldier hghting in the ranks
can know the course Of events in all portions of the
line of battle. TO attend to another's duty would be
TO distract attention from his own; 1t would cause
! him to be found wanting in the hour Of need The
best soldiers concentrate their powers upon their
part In the night and trust the result with God. In
life we bear too many needless burdens; our thoughts
are too much given to the shortcomings and failures
Of others. To win the approval Of God we must at
tend to personal duties-do part Of the worlds
work with eager and steadfast heart.
Spiritual strife IL constant; II has winter quar-
tiers, no Rags OF truce periods of masterly mac
tivity" Temptation and evil are ever near to sur
prise the unwary aud defeat the indolent Never TO
relax our Efforts IL the golden secret OF safety and
success. In moral warfare, however, defeat Is
final. single victory is often decisive in military
campaign. when the stronghold Of vicksburg was
captured, the Mississippi valley fell into the power Of
the Union army When Petersburg aud Richmond
ing was useless. Moral defeats, though sad and APP
palling, are not, thank God, hopeless. Though the
conscience has been sthed though shame has come
like black cloud upon the heart, though evil habits
have brought the curse of their tyranny, the
prodgal may still arise and go to his Father.
God is ever ready to help. Ia the depths Of sin
men repent. From the darkness Of iniquity they
can enter into Gods glorious light. For those who
will strive aud pray there IL the fullest hope. Remem
ber too, that in the warfare with evil Is pos
sble for all. In war, one party Is doomed to defeat
the rebellion. In the battle against evil all may be
yictors. Those who rely upon the INFINITE help OF
God who strive with brave and Chrst-lke hearts to
do his will shall never be overcome. They only fai
who forget to pray or cease to work.
DREAD not the din and smoke.
The shining poison OF the hery air.
COuragel 1t In the battle OF thy God,
Co. and for him learn how to do and dare.
What tho ten thousand fall
Aud the red field with the dear dead be strovn,
Grasp but the more braVely thy bright shield ant
Fight to the last altho thou hghtst alone.
What tho ten thousand faint,
Desert, or yield, or In weak terror Zee,
Heed not the panic Of the multitude
Thine be the captains wAtehword, Victory"