The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-01-11
Setting Up Banners.

Setting Up Banners.
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in
the name Of our God We will set up our BAN
ners" So sings David in the 10th Psalm. A
banner is used in various ways, as military
ensign, as the standard Of prince or king,
as pennon to steamer; men plant 1t on
the pinnacles of their houses, or hang it over
their gateways, or carry them Impressions
something. They express an idea about
government, as the national flag; or about
military matters, like regimental flags; or
they hear some device or motto, as the ban-
ners We see in political procession, To set
up banner means, then, to hold forth q
sign Of what we believe, or pro-
pose to do; to carry over our
heads an expression Of purpose we
have in mind, which we have resolved to at
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 bannersl What
shall we make our watch-words! What key
note shall we strike for the nusicl A gloom
is settling over the country. Men are con-
gregating in the streets, waiting for work,
up our heartsl
!. On our banner let us inscribe faithful
service" All things are astir from the atom
to q world. A perfect calm betokens a
storm Our Creator has equipped us all for
some kind of service. There never was bed
ridden cripple consigned to SO helpless q
condition, but that from him OF her could
emanate by speech, or by exemplfication OF
some grace of heart, an influence salutary as
the sunshine. But one source Of weakness III
most Of us is, that we are inclined to turn
away from our own assigned sphere OF ac-
tivity, because some things In it are distaste-
full, or perhaps distressing; and we are
saying, II / were in that other position
then how much more I could accomplish,
and with a better heart could l work.
Now, a survey Of life is over showing us
choice spirits, who, in the shade OF seciu
sion, have won a reputation, to which the
so it is true "It naught concerns
thee where, but what thou art" Let us
not neglect matters because they are conf
monplace. In whatever situation God has
appointed our lot, therein we must be faithful.
If it be hard toll do it; if it he a scene Of pri
vations endure them; if it be sufferings OF
mind or body, be patient under them. in
order to attain this, we must keep Christ with
dy WthOus me eyev can do bn aeIa hs
comes to lis.
Q. Let us lift up the banner of hope. Two
attendants meet us at the portal Of the year;
one Is hope, the other is fear. 1t is easy TO
surmise the distressful. You are poor, with
oil your labor you can barely mako
q living; and you think, especially
just now. shall have employment all this
yearl You are farmer, and you conJec-
ture whether The seasons will be propltlous,
and prices remunerative. You are nler-
chant, OF manufacturer, the uncertainties
"a ~
feeble health, and find yourself anticipating
attacks Of sickness. Now we may permit
these and similar Fears to be our cOmpan-
ions, or we may leckon hope to our side.
Yet it is hard to repress anxieties. The best
way is to meet them in the name Of the
Lord We should have confidence i'll His
power and goodness. He can, if He please.
He is good and therefore He will please, so
far as is bes. for us, choosing better for us
than we can for ourselves. The motto OF
Charles 1. of England was, "Dum spro,
spero"-whie live hope.
3. Another banner we should unfurl is con-
tentment Hope casts sunshine upon dismal
scenes. And all the more is this the case,
when that hope derives its strength from the
name of the Lord. The old Puritans were
famous for their trust in God; and hence
one of their favorite sayings was, Brown
bread and the Gospel are good fare" We
are living in such artificial times, and have
such stilted ideas Of what constitutes privi-
leges, and cf what conduces to happiness,
that we are constantly missing good things
which come to us every day. We are look
ing for great experiences, and Tor strides In
success. We want to mount up. with wings
as eagles But = contented mind that can
appreciate common things, and rejoice in
unseasoned pleasures, will get much happl-
hess out Of this life. Let US not deem our lot
fiat, unless it is filled with the extra, or high
ly spicei with the marvellous With one OF
the old English poets let us sing:
My conscience is my crown,
Contented thoughts my rest
My heart is happy in itself;
My bliss is in my breast.
My wishes are but few,
All easy to fulfil;
make tho limits of my power
The bounds unto my will.
Robert Southwcll, 1896
A philosopher was passing through mart
filed with various articles Of taste and lux
ury, and made himself quite contentod with
this simple yet sage reflection: "How many
things there are here that do not want. y
We may apply the same sentiment toward
many objects which disturb our contentment.
We can get along comfortably without them.
What Gods providence withholds, let lis be
willing to forego.
i, Let us set up the banner OF a Christian
life. Does this new year find the reader un-
reconciled to God through Jesus Christi
Why is this' Opportunity you have received.
The Bible has lain open before you. Jesus
Christ has been set before you, as the Saviour
waiting to accept your surrender to Him.
What reason can you assign why you are not
a professed disciple Of Christi Perhaps you
have heard the gospel many years, and have
deferred this important matter. What
course will you take this yeari
FLEMISGToN, n. j.