The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1891-12-24
TO TIE FORSYTH RIFLEAEN.
The Annual Sermon Sunday by the
Chaplain, Rev. E. P. Davis.
TEXT: ISAIAH, 9Th CH., 9th VERSE,
The discourse Listened to Most At
tentively by a Large Congre-
cation of People.

the Forsyth Riflemen, preached the
annual sermon to that company Sun
day morning in the Presbyterian
Church. The discourse was full of
historical facts and valuable infor-
nation, earnestly and forcib,y de-
livered.
'For every battle nf the warrior
IS with confused noise, and gar
ments rolled in blood; but this shall
be with burning and fuel of fire:n
Isaiah 9: 5. Alexander translates
this passage as follows: "For all the
armour of the armed man Cor the
man alarms, who mingles) in the
tumult (of battle) and the garment
rolled in blood, shall be for burning
(and foT) food Cor fulD of ire.''
This is a prophecy of the universal
prevalence of peace, when all the
instruments and uniforms of war
shall be destroyed, because they will
no more be needed. This desirable
state of things God will bring about
by His truth and Spirit, lisa. 2: "a.
Ps. 40: 9. But the time has not vet
come, Tor the Nations of Europe are
LII al LAo anu OOtN COu tAo years VI
1853 and 1877, $12,065, 100000 was
expended, and 100000 lives lost, in
the wars of the world. Still war is
sometimes lawful and it is necessary
to have good soldiers to wage it.
L. WHEN IS WAR LAwFUL?-It is
lawful only in self-defence. mo
plea of honor, glory, or aggrandize-
ment, policy or profit can excuse,
much less justify war; nothing short
of necessity to the end of the pres
ervation of national existence" AS
individuals we have the God-given
right to defend ourselves: so have
nu;,."-; Cor nations are but aggre-
cations of individuals. This princi-
pie of selfdefense is various in its
and may neeessitate ag-
gressive, as well as defensive war
fare. God Himself, in ancient times,
frequently commanded the children
of Israel to go to battle; directed
them how to order it and gave them
TIE victory over His and their enc
mics. And Jesus, the Prince of
Peace nowhere nrllifies this law of
old TsstansS lmes.
2. WHAT SHoUE9> BE THE Quail
OF WARRfcRss As war
is sometimes necessary 10 preserve
national existence aud prosperity,
so it is equally necessary to haye
qualified soldiers to fight our battles
Every one is not fit for soldier;
just as every one is not suited for q
farmer, merchant, physician, lawyer
or minister. God is represented in
the Scriptures as giving soldierly
qualifications, Ps. IA: 1-2, Sam. %:
30. Someltf these qualifications are
tsourage and confidence.
A bsolute, prompt, submission to
authority, is one of the essential pre-
requisites for a warrior, and no Off
Ger is prepared to command until he
knows how to obey. Respect for
lawfully-constituted authority in the
family. Church, State and Nation is
necessary to their we'll being, if not
their very being. Disobedience is
virtual treason. And this is all that
the Captain of our salvation requires
Of US as christian soldiers, Deut.,
10:l2-13.
2. C1URAGE.-Deut. 20:S, Judges
7:2-Courage enables us to meet dam
ger with fearlessness and frmness.
1t is not recklessness. Discretion
is the better part of valor." A COW
ard will never make a soldier. A
never conquers nor wears a
crown. Alexander the Great was
courageous in fighting others, but
was himself overcome with wine.
Young men, be not overcome with
wine, or profanity, or lust, or world
illness. Be men. Stand firm, when
tried.-1 John 2:14, Cor. 2S:1.
"The fearful soul that tries and faints,
And walks the ways of God no more,
Is but esteemed almost saint
And makes his own destruction sure
CONFIDENCE, Heb. 11:33.-As a
christian soldier must have faith in
God in order to conquer: so the
earthly warrior must have confidence
in his captain in the righteousness of
his cause. Reliance imparts strength.
May each of this goodly company
now before me be christian war
rior, and overcome self, sin ind Sa-
tan; and wave palm and wear a
crown in glory. May each so live
that he can sincerely say at death
with Paul: 81 have fought good
fight, have finished my course, l
have kept the faith: henceforth there
is laid up for me crown of right
eousness, which the Lord, the right
eous Judge, shall give me at that
day: and not to me only, but unto all
them also that love this appearing