The herald., 1894-03-19
Trinity Church.

eElbJlCh OF Tue True ChtnOlC,
Trinity Church.
Rev. A. O. Bane preached yesterday
at IL q. m. from Ephesisns 6:ll. "Put
on the whole armor of God that ye may
be able to stand against the wiles OF the
devil"
The chapter describes the Christian
life as battle and the images are much
more vivid when we remember that the
apostle wrote from q Roman prison in
sight OF the warfAring strength Of Rome.
You know OF the noise and strife OF
battle, but the great battle is a silent
one around and within Us. Amid the
activities OF life We seem not TO hear the
noise of strife, yet the principles OF good
and evil are ever in combat. The won
der is that we do not more appreciate
the necessity OF armor and the magni-
tude of the battle.
1t also describes the armory from.
which Christ drew His amor, and like
the temple OF Janus tits ever open to
every Christian. We do not spring
Minerva-like from the brain of Jove,
but each must seek and appropriate to
himself the armor provided by God
But before putting on the armor the
soldier must learn the seat of his
strength. That 1t is from the Lord and
rests not in the individual Gideon, when
he dismissed all his army but hand
full appreciated this, and Deborah, trust
ing in the Lord of battles, went forth
nhdAunted. Every Christian must
know that only in the strength OF God
can he conquer; before seeking to put on
arms you must know the character of the
foe. for the Christian must meet no or
dinary foe, not principRlitles, but the
subtlety OF the devil.
The mans method OF SHINING is the
DEVILS method OF overcoming. The
great Thermopyle is the victory over self.
Understanding whence comes your
strength and the powers of your mighty
advisor, you can enter the armory and
God will equip you in the whole panoply
OF war. But one must be satisfied to
fight in his place. All cannot be lead
ers. A child should not essay the weap-
ons OF Saul.
II a soldier OF the cross fails it is be-
cause he has not taken on him the full
armor. God will drill you in the tao.
tics of this war that you may be able to
Withstand all fiery darts. Gird your
loins with the girdle of truth, a
firm conviction of God. Truth,
strength and righteousness. Then take
the breastplate OF righteousness to
cover our vital parts from the assaults
OF the darts of the evil one. Let your
feet be shod with the preparation OF the
gospel OF peace. We must ever be on
the march, going forth scattering the
leaves of the gospel. The altar OF God
10 movable altar, ever approaching
Heaven. The shield of His faith must
be in our hands, ever ready to turn the
darts of the enemy. Every other grace
is strengthened by this faith. The he'll
met of salvation must protect our head,
the seat OF the intellect. The sword of
the spirit, which is the word of God,
must be mastered and become assimi-
lated as a part of our being. Christ
used it in the wilderness and tri-
umphed, and go we will overcome evil
il we resist it with the word of God.
But, without study OF the word, you
cannot handle the sword OF the spirit.
God has given us a covering for the head
and feet and breast, but NO protection
for the back. Since there is no provis-
ion for retreat, there is no retreat for
the soldier of God. He Who puts his
hand to the plow and looks back shall
be cast out. After putting on the armor,
then in prayer look to your Captain.
Every part OF the army must be in con-
slant communication with the Chief,
ever asking strength for present need.
You must have marching orders. Wait
for them stand in readiness. Even in
the time of peace have daily drill OF
prayer, and post watch or sentinel.
Woe to the soldier who sleeps on senti-
mel duty. Second, stand in action.
Conflict is around, in which we must
;al ~ 1T 81
every soldier to do his duty. Be strong
quit your like men, and so stand. Never
run in dark days. Stand in doubtful
battle; stand even with death-relying
on your Chief you will come off the
victor.
There are no slain or wounded OF the
Christian soldiers, they are but trans
ported--transferred near God. The
palaces of Immortality are prepared for
the soldiers of God. st. Pauls shout of
victory will echo through the ages, II
have fought good fight; have finished
the falth"-there is no ambulance, no
hospital in the spiritual warfare, for
angels bear to the home on high the
wornout veteran. The armor was not
given to be admired. The soldier must
keep his eye OH God and the enemy.
The Lord Jesus who has won every bat
tie is your leader. and under Him you
must scale the hills OF glory.
What p gathering OF the soldiers that
will be. No cripplas, 40 armless sleeves,
no battle-scarred faces, but all glori6ed
bodies resplendent with the light of
God, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
In the revival services at Trinity
church there have been 56 conversions.
The services are growing In interest and
in spirituality. Since the commence
ment OF the year there have been SO
new members added to Trinity church,
and 80 baptized.
The Theosophiets.