The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-11
THE CHURCH MILITANT.
Concluded from Fifth Page.

Gods favor. He said for his part he didn't
fight that way; that as a boxer he did not
throw and swing his arms to 60 through the
motions-not as one beating the alr-hs
struck to knock down; that was his idea of
fighting. Tt seems not to have ooeurred to
him that going through the motions of
boxing and then saying, GOD bless the
means used,'' would give him the sliRhteat
security against being knocked down him
self. There is q dependence on the spirit
which is sheer lazlness. Our successful
syanRelists insist much upon the truth that
they depend. You ask Fay Mills to con-
duct revival services. He questions you,
and demands that all the Christian forces
Of the community bs IS deliberately organ
lied for special work as if it ware the prep
aration for one battle which should decide
lar preparations on his part. Is it any
wonder that the Lord, who is Himself a
man Of war. answers that sort of praying
with victory? 8 : =
And our fight is aggressive. The right
cannot be maintained against evil in e de.
fensive war. Carthage must DO destroyed.
We demand surrender of the world to
Christ, whose sole right it ia to ruls. butthe
demand will be Knocked until We enforce it.
And despite that lack Of discipline, which
is our own fault. tho church is to-day fur
nished for an advance. She has abundance
of money, the best talent and scholat ship
Of the world; she has social power that she
could make ~tyrannieal if she chose; her in
huence ID most commanding in the nations
which are foremost in tho present order of
mans march. = y y
If we Christians were really soldiers we
should be spared that speotaels-the church
alarmed at prospect OF a light. Think of
foreboding because the enemy seems net
Inclined to keep the peace. The pastor, or
some member of the church. has for a mo-
ment forgotten himself, and spoken disre-
spectfully of the devil. His feelings are
hurt; he talks of fighting. There's going
we dol? This cowardly spirit comes of
shutting ourselves up in or dsfences. The
enemy surrounds as and twits US, as Rab-
shaken did the frightened soldiers OF Heze-
kiah on the walls of Jerusalem. He warns
US that his philosophers and historical OK
perts have run a mine under Us. He is
just ready to blow up one whole establish
ment, Bible tower and all, bat his humano
feeling prompts him to toll us a little in
advance that we may have the advantage of
au%rrendering to him at discretion. So long
as the church acts on tho defensive she
shall be terrified with wars and rumors of
wars. Her ensny is expert in playing upon
fears. He knows what alarms 10 sound:
Ihs scientists be apon thee, Samson; tho
higher critics be upon thee, Samson; tho
customs of society be uron thee; and TO
our American church, the foreigners be
upon the Samson. And now he hrs a cry
especially for ministers-tha Sunday news
papers be upon thee Samson; they'll soon
have your audience detained at home read
ing scandals. Against all such alarms God
has provided us hslp. and that help is not
a retreat behind barracks, bat an advance
into the open fold. = y x
God is speaking with a great voice to His
Israel to-day that they 90 forward. By the
prevalence of evil in our own dear land. by
the corruption of government and the in
flowing immortality, by tho open doors OF
all heathendom, by that countless process,
sion Of souls CROPPING and stumbling in
darkness, by the Astounding wretchednes.
of their women and little children, by this
Good Shepherds pity for them, by the I'M
rest of every nation, by tho increasing rush
and roar Of the worlds business. h%asteninl
on to some glorious issue or dread cataE-
trorhe, by the gifts with which tho church
is already furnished for such Il time as this
by the past victories and her surs promises
for the future. by the construining love O.
Christ, this Captain of our salvsticn-ge
forward.