The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-08-12
BLOODY PAPERS!
NUMBER XNNVIII.

NJ MBEh NM III.
At recent Sunday School picnic in a
neighbOring Township, a number OF old
soldiers appeared in uniform, with mar
tial music. This seemed a strange pic
ture, this marshaling of the warlike dem
onstration with the peaceful worship of
the School The waving banners, as
compared with the emblems of the
Schools made strange contrast. Yet
above all there was hidden story filled
with beauty, connected with this varied
display. The term soldier implies
something more than the wearing of tin
sci and gilt; it implies something strong
er and deeper than the mere outward
parade: it means something better than
the humping and rolling of drums, and
the creating Of superficial display: there
is nobility implied as to the character
of the man truly representing the word
or being represented by the word soldier,
which teaches of elevated and ennobled
manhood. A true soldier is brave, faith
ful, magnanimous, noble. He is fearless
in the discharge of duty, perfectly subor-
dinate to his superior officer, and strives
to perform all and singular the duties
whereunto he is called. He takes no
thought of consequence-his aim is to do
right.
Considered in this light, then, there is
a fitness in comparing the life and char
acter of the soldier with the idea of the
Christian student and servant of the
| q
soldier exclaim, in speaking of zeal in the
discharge of duty; eff my own grandfa-
| ther would attempt to cross a line 1 was
guarding, and would not halt at the
word of command, [ would shoot himI'
! This extreme view of duty is taught in
the religious world. We are to place fl
deity to the great commander above all
earthly considerations. Sometimes pro-
fessors of religion will say 81 am a sol
dier for the Lord How many, think
you. understand the full meaning of the
term used? How many would be willing
to die, if need be, at the word of COM
mand.
The noble side of the character of the
soldier, is that which we must adopt as
our ideal. This is what the soldier by
his life and deeds has left to the rising
military glory and military display-but
the glory of the soldier springs from a
deeper source than these. If that stall
wart Boy in Blue who stands there was
not afraid to storm the entrenhced line of
a material foe, armed with material fire,
why should the soldier of the cross fear
to storm the spiritual foe, the enemy of
souls? If that soldier standing by the
drums-to which he listens with bright
ened eyes-could dare to perform the
most difficult and dangerous task at the
word of command, why should the young
soldier of the noble Sabbath School
Army, hesitate to discharge the fullness
of duty, and make unto himself or her
self great name?
We once heard commander of body
of men, during very dark and troublous
time, use this expressions: "Boys, get
ready for a long and strong march,
Within a few minutes everything was in
readiness to move at the word of COM
mand. We are often reminded of this
command-given so many years ago
when we think of the Sabbath School
student, just starting in the Christian
campaign. 1t is a long and strong
march. The enemy is vigilant and re-
lentless there are ambuscades all along
the way; death and danger lurk about
the outposts of each life; the forces of
sin are always massed ready for the on
slaught, and the soldier must be watch
full and ready. The march in some in
stances may not be so very long, but the
preparation must be made the same as
| though it was to be so. A full supply of
ammunition, the fire of divine truth, and
the point of the sacred teaching, must be
kept in READINGS. Thus armed, the young
Christian soldier may go on, from con-
quering to conquest, until victory shall
crown his efforts, and in the final tri
umph, the great hour of victory, he shall
lay aside the weapons for the moment, to
wave palms of victory, and shout hOsan-
mas to the great Captain of Salvation.
The picture of the soldier of earth,
with his banners and drums and bright
uniform, is suggestive OF the grander
picture of the soldier who, armed with
the Sword of the Spirit, pursues the con-
fiict-not for three years, or five years,
but for time and eternity. We like the
suggestiveness of the word soldier" as
compared to Christian workers. The
Grand Army of Christian Soldiers is
growing stronger and stronger; new re-
cruits are coming in constantly; the vet
Grams are on duty and watchful; the
banners are bright and unsulied, and
bear the record of many victories; the
great Commander is marshaling His
hosts constantly for the contest with the
enemy Of souls; in this army there are
few stragglers; there may be an occas-
onal deserter but all these are given an
opportunity of getting back into the
ranks from time to time, and it is rarely
that the penalty for desertion is visited;
the music of this Grand Army is not the
fife the drum. the bugle; it is the song of
praise, and the devotional exercise; there
is but one campaign FOR this army; it
marches right along, from day to day
just over yonder we can see the enemy fly
ing before our approach, and still beyond,
on the grand nights of the Camp of the Re-
! uSGuSu, we S6C COIlI tluco "df ing lldl
flags Of victory. Though the march is a
long and strong one, the victory is sure
to the faithful. AS the soldier of earth
by bravery and vigilance, achieves victo-
~, so the spiritual soldier may win a
triumph, the grandeur Of which reaches
beyond the scenes Of earth, and endures
throughout eternity.
Her features are not regular, vet
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