The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-04-14
RELIGIOUS NEWS
AND THOUGHT.
GATHERED FROM THE RELIGIOUS
AND SECULAR PRESS.
Words of Wisdom and Thoughts
Worth rendering on Religious
and Moral Subjects.

No conquerer ever gained such moral
/ power over savage tribes as did Charles
Gordon, known, after his campaign in
China, as Chinese Gordon
1t was not wholly the fear of his stern
military government which controlled
these tribes. 1t was largely the moral
power exhibited by the man himself.
He was man of such lofty purposes,
such unselfishness, fearlessness. spiritual
elevation, and desire for justice, that
! even the lowest types of humanity recog-
nized his superiority in the moral forces
that dominated in his character, and al
most instinctively gave him obedience.
HIS work was as truly missionary work
as If he had held only the Bible in his
hand. instead of the sword, and for this
reason the name of Chinese Gordon is
revered in all civilized lands
He taught the Chinese lessons they
have not wholly forgotten. Through
respect the English race and English
ideas. So successful was he in putting
down their rebellion that his army was
called lie the 1all-conquering army" :. a..
Sudan, and governed that wild region so
ds largely to protect the interests ot the
helpless and the downtrodden, and fell
at last martyr to their cause.
The secret of the power of this wonder
ful man was his faith in God, his love for
humanity. and his absolute surrender of
or stay; to live or die, as Cod Wills" he
said, when at last he consented to leave
his loved missionary work in London, and
take position in the army. He was
prepared for his greater achievements by
years of self-abnegation and discipline.
Born to fortune, he gave up its at;
fractions and advantages, and devoted
himself to the teaching and training of
the poor London street boys. The parting
from his boys vas very. touching, and
when he returned from his foreign tri-
umphs, he gave to the ragged schools he
had formed ard loved, the flags and
medals he had won.
During his conquest Of the Sudan he
was taken. prisoner. by the -Abyssinians,
and brought into the presence of their
king. The naughty CHIEF was seated
picked up the chair which had been
placed for him at a lower level, and
seated himself by the side of the aston
DO you know said the naughty and
on the spot if I liked?'
maesty aaid Ge S0sf0 Gordon 4d Doo 0 so
at once, if it is your royal pleasure.
What said the king. "ready to be
Certainly" replied the general ~ am
always ready to die. So far from fearing
your putting me to death, it would be a
do for me that which I am precludeA by
my religion from doing for myself 1
should be relieved from all the troubles
that the future may have in store for
me, and enter into a larger and a better
life in another world"
Then my power has no terrors for
your said the king.
None" was the reply
The king was perplexed. No show of
polnp or power could have impressed him
as did this fearlessness Of death in the !
assurance that it was but the door to !
a fullness of life.
Nothing would be gained by harrning
such a man. The superstitious king |
looked at him with something of a feel |
Ing of awe. and not only gave him his |
freedom, but yielded to all his wishes.
Gordons triumphs as a soldier were |
not greater than his triumphs as a /
Christian, and for this reason his martial |
power was equalled always by his moral /
power. He truly conquers life who uses
1t as did this great man as preparation
Tor the life that is to come.