The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1894-10-26
AT THE CHURCHES.f

At the Methodist Church the pastor
preached from Joshua 10.
"Be strong and of good courage; be
not afraid neither be thou dismayed; for
the Lord thy God is with thee WHITTIER
soever thou goest."
Attention was first called to Joshua as
the divinely appointed successor Of Moses,
and the great work he was called upon to
undertake. Then the fact was brought
out that amid the confusion of camp life
Joshua found time for the exercise of
his religion, the preacher saying:
Joshua, like other soldiers such as
Havelock and Cromwell, found time amid
the many duties incident to position of
authority to worship God. He did not
allow the prospect of battle or thought
of defeat to interrupt his devotion. He
was God fearing commander who made
prayer and renewed conservation prepa-
ration for battle. He regarded the OBJ
servance of the law as condition of di-
vine favor and built affairs in commemora-
tion of divine guidance and victories.
Surely the Christian soldier today can
learn something by studying the character
of this man who found time to worship
God amid his many duties. How many
times the family altar is neglected on ac-
count Of the press of business. How
often the Bible is laid aside and not read
during the day because of that weak ex-
cuse, lack of time. How easy it is to
postpone our private devotions when
calls are made upon our time by the bust
ness affairs of this lie; and after one
postponement how easy it is to repeat it.
No doubt in many homes called Christian
the family altar is sadly neglected and
service there is the exception rather than
the rule Then again how often is the
scripture lesson short and the prayer
hurried because of the press of worldly
things. Perhaps we arise late in the
morning, mistake the call of duty and
thus neglect the family altar because of
our desire to reach our business on time"
The speaker showed the value of sus-
tanned family worship in the Christian
home and said that true religion was
something to be enjoyed and that instead
Of taking away happiness it brought it.,
after which he said that the words of the
text were just what Joshua needed, es-
pecially, so that he might persevere in
the path marked out for him unmoved by
terrors or difficulties. In closing the
necessity of courage was noted the
speaker saying
1t requires courage to overcome oppo-
sition and continue in the way cast up
for the ransomed. There are times and
places when courage must meet the en-
emy. When to retreat would mean capt
ure. The life of Christian is never free
from temptations. He may reach high
place in his experience and look back on
many victories but he can never reach a
place in this life, be it ever so high,
| where the enemy cannot overtake him
and give him battle. He may almost fin
ish the journey and even then be captured
He must exercise courage and be ever on
his guard if he desires to obtain the vic.
tory. The promise of the text comes to
every Christian. We may meet with op-
position, encounter difficulties all the way
along but the knowledge of Gods presence
to help is sufficient to carry us over every
obstacle. Be of good courage Christian
brother and sister. Be not afraid neither
with thee whithersoever thou goest
Fight the go fight Of faith and expec
the victors crown which God has prom
ised.