Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-05-12

1.-THE Universal Conflict Between Good
and Evil" was the subject of an able ser.
men which the Rev. 7. E. Terry preached
in st. Paups NJ. i. Church Sunday
morning. To the large audience the dis
course was delightful, and at the close of
the service the minister was congratulated
oy many persons upon its excellence. His
text was |. Samuel XVII, 26: "Who is this
uncircumcised Philistine. that he should
defy the armies of the living God?"
In the Introductory Mr.. Terry narrated
the historical events connected with the
lesson. He detailed David's visit to the
army to see his brethren and his combat
with Goliah of Gath. BY his conduct
David demonstrated three things First
his confidence in God; second, his conf
dence in the righteousness of his cause
third, his confidence in himself The rep
resentative nature of the conflict suggested
the subject. 1t was a national conflict and
yet so personal that it was decided by a
combat between two individuals
In the conflict in which we are engaged
tnere are three sources of opposition, or
three classes of enemies First, a personal
devil; second, evil angels; third, wicked
men. OF all sources the latter is the great
est for evil because ii is most dangerous
when it becomes incarnate
The enemies of the latter class are
actuated first by human selfishness. In
illustration the preacher referred to the
!niquity OF the legalized rum traffic, show
ing that the secret of the support of this
traffic is found in human selfshness. The
only position that man with conscience
can take is separate from it and refusal 10
any way TO countenance it. Some have
tried to satisfy themselves with what is
called regulating the traffic, but if it is
wrong IN principle il would be wrong if
we could regulate il, all of which has
proved failure.
The second evidence of human selfish
ness is political corruption. under which
head Mr.. Terry spoke of the Chinese Elk
clusion bill. 1t has been the effort of
Christian nations combined to christianize
China. We have devoted millions of
treasure and hundreds of men and women
nave sacrificed their lives in the work. Our
own missionary society labored there 10
years before we got single convert and
now, just as the door of China is opening
10 the church and inviting us TO bring il
tne gospel, our government passes law
not only excluding the Chinese from our
shores, but the practical and final results
undoubtedly will be that China will ex.
GUIDE our missionaries. This exclusion
PHI is not partisan measure, because il
mas been passed by a Democratic House
approved by Republican Senate and
signed by Republican President. II is
the act of the United States of America.
not either party, and as such will go forth
70 the nations Of the world. 1t may lead
TO serious complications. The spirit of re-
taiation by heather China may lead to
ploodshed. American citizens NAV be
slaughtered. This may lead to interna-
tional war and the great battle of Arma-
geddon, foretold in scripture and by some
located in the valley of the Mississippi in
our own country, and by Others on the
Nf A11a
fought in China.
This conflict seems unequal, d giant
armed from head TO foot with brazen
armor on one side and a mere STRIPPING
with shepherds staff and sling on the
other. Viewing them from a merely
human standpoint we would saw David
was undertaking hopeless task. but God
was on David's side. Such is the case with
the conflict between good and evil viewed
from human standpoint. When We
think of 10000 licensed saloons in this
country, with all their associate evils, nut
over against the church, we would think
the church was undertaking a homeless
TASK, but God is on the side of the church
The rum traffic may continue to destroy
human homes and human souls SO long as
u can md supporters, but the day is
coming when the last grog-shop shall close
rs doors. This professedly Christian ma
hon, that has had such opportunity as no
other nation on the face II the earth has
had to help christianize the world may
neglect her opportunity, may take her
Stand in the way of the progress of Gods
cause and yet God will save the world.
Shlnas 4oO, 900 GOO, with all the rest of the
be saved. Then we may ask, Who is This
uncircumcised Philistine, when, stripped
OF hispower he lies helpless on the field
Of battle? Our final justification at The
last will depend on our not having fought
on any particular field, but in that i've
were on the side of right with God.
For right is right since God is God,
=, And right the day must win;
To doubt would be disoyalty,
70 falter would be sin.