Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1888-01-14
Setting Up Banners.

Setting Up Banners.
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in
the name of our God we will set up our bal-
ners SO sings David in the Goth Psalm. i
banner IS used in various ways, as a military
ensign, as the standard Of a prince or king,
as a pennon to a steamer; men plant it on
the pinnacles of their houses, or hang it over
tn air g~atewayS, or carry them in professions.
But wherever displayed, banners mean
something. They express an idea about
government, as the national flag; or al ut
military matters, like regimental flags; or
they bear some device or motto, as the ban
Eers we see in a political procession, To set
up a banner means, then, to hold forth a
sign of what we believe, or pro-
pose to do; to carry over our
heads an expression Of Il purpose we
have in mind, which we have resolved to at
tain. 1t becomes, therefore, a rallyins
word to which we look for inspiration. We
are at the beginning of another year, and are
looking forward to the march OF the days.
What shall we put on our banners. WHAT
shall we make our watchswords. v hat key
note shall we strike for the music! A gloom
is settling over the country. Men are con
greEatlng i'll the streets, waiting tor work,
and no man hires them. How shall we brace
up our hearts?
/. On our banner let US inscribe 'faithful
service" All things are astir from the atom
to a world. A perfect calm betokens Il
storm. Our Creator has equipped us all for
some kind Of service. There never was a bed
ridden cripple consigned to 50 helpless 4
condition, but that from him or her could
emanate by speech, or by eXeInpli1ication of
some grace OF heart, an influence s%aiutary rs
the sunshine. But one source OF weakness in
most OF us IS. that we are inclined to turn
away from our own assigned sphere of ac-
tlvlty, because some things in it are distaste-
full, or perhaps distressing; and we are
saying, If | We're in that other position
then how much more | could accomplish,
and with a better heart could | work.
Now, a survey of life is ever showing us
choice spirits, who, in the shade Of seclu
slOn, have won a reputation, to which the
apparently favored have not attained. And
so it is true. "It naught concerns
thee where, but what thou art" Let us
not neglect matters because they are com
monplace. In whatever situation i;od has
appointed our lot, therein we .iryt De 4l'tj,
II 1T be hard toll do it; if it be a scene I pa.
vatlons endure them; if ii be suffcrlii2s Of
mind or body, be patient under them. IN
order to attain this, we must keep Christ with
US every day. "Without me We can do moth
ing" "Abide in me- SO closely-a, that be
comes to us.
2. Let us lift up the banner of hope Two
attendants meet us at the portal Of thu year,
one is hope, the other is fear. 1t IS eu~> tc
surmise the distressful. You are poor. uitt
SA ioNi Abo y az tilNiF isiihN
q living and You think, l.aciallY
just now. shall | have employment al this
year: You are a farmer, and YOU col.icc
ture whether the seasons wiil be prolitiouS
end prices remunerative. You are 4 1ncr
chant, or a manufacturer, thA uncertainties
OF the market trouble You. You Ire. i,
feeble nealrn, and find yourself ante ritiae
attacks of sickness. Now we may trlnit
these and similar fears to be our CON an
IONS, or we may leckon hope to orr SIDE.
let 1t IS hard to represS anxietieS, The best
way is to meet them in the name Q: the
Lord. We Should have confidence iii Hi.
power and goodness. He can, if He please.
He Is good, and therefore He will please. &
far as IS bes. for us, choosing letter for Us
than we can for ourselves. Tn motto If
Charles l. OF England was, DUN spiro,
spero-while | live | hope.
3. Another banner w. sho,ll unIuri i~con.
tentinent.. Hope casts sunshine upon Ii~tna
scenes. And all the more is this th.e4>a.
when that hope derives its strength tIcsl the
name of the Lord. The old Purltau> p.fe
famous Tor Their trust III God tan hence
one OF their tavorite savings was. : Br.W.
bread and the Gospel are good fare We
are living III such artificial tilncs, ana have
such suited Ideas of what constitutes rrivi
le1es, and Ct what conduces to happiness
that we are constantly missing. good tijn@:
which come to us every day. We are Irk
ing Tor great eXpel len tt>. ard for stride, If
success. We want to mount up with wing.
as eagles. But a cOHtcnteI mind that ear
appreciate omlno things, and rejoice II
unseasonesf pleasures, Will get much iIappI
ness out OF this life. Let us not deem our lot
flat. unless 1T Is TILED with the extra, Of iii.
~ splcef with the marvel ous. With one Of
the old English poets let US sing.
My conscience is my crown,
Contented thoughts my rest
Ny heart is happy in itself;
My bliss is in my breast.
My wishes are but few,
All easy to fulfill:
make the limits OF my Iower
The bounds unit nv win.
/ Itohelt S~ontlWeI!. 1895.
philosopher was passing through !, mart
filled with various articles II t,>... a,4 Inv
urV, and made himself quit contaut.rl viii
TINS simple yet sage reflection: "haw r9any
!nlnes there are here that | do MT want,
we may apply the same Sentiment toward
many objects which disturhour con- eminent
we can get along comfortably without them.
"nat do1s providence withhold>. Let rs ht
willing 10 forego.
-. let US set up the banner IF a Christian
ME Does this new year find the rta,i.r I'M.
reconclled TO God through J4>u, thri~r
my Is this! Opportunity vou have r.,, iy,gr
ne bible has lain oien before Won .T.~lI.
christ has been set before YOU. as IN. S,vi.r
waiting 70 accept your surrsn,ier \, linn
rat reason can YOU assign WHY yot. are not
q proteSss7i disciple Of Christi rernars won
nave heard the GOSPEL many wears. AMI lay.
deferred this important matter VIVA,
course VIII You take this year:
F~LEAISGToS, y. J..