The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1895-09-10
GOSPEL OF PEACE"
4 Sermoa ga That Subject ~ Res. Vol
aey Johnson. Pastor VI the ChristIaa
Church -EphesIaRH els.

The ancient warrior had Kind ~
foOt armOr called the greaves. IL con
sisted uf piece for the sole Of the
foot. the lace ran up the instep and
fastened tO the ankle-piece. This
latter extended 10 the knee. There
was wisdom displayed in this prepara-
tiOn since a severe wound la the foot
would unfit a warrior for duty either
ia standing erect in battle or march
ing ON the enemy. Paul says having
your feet ShOd with the preparation
Of the gospel Of peace. This Is Of
course figurative language. aud inn
plies first OF all something that j.
common TO all men. Whether you are
a member Of the church or not say
the text implies one thing common to
christian and uncOnyerted alike. some
thing you cannot avoid and that
something is this all men have a
I journey To make. journey commence
ing at the cradle and ending at the
grave.
You may b. born with a silver spoon
in your mouth as the expression gOeS,
or your swaddling clothes may be
rags. Yet still you have u journey 10
make. and though YOU may be one OF
the seemingly fortunate on earth.
though your pleasures may b. many.
still there will be rough places along
the road. places that try your patience
aud strength. rough stones with
sharp edges that will tear your feet.
You know this however. looking back
through memories dark ravlne yuu see
the disappOintmentS in your past ex-
perience. and to both sinner and
christian there will D. constant
temptations and >nareS for the feet,
and Paul knows this. - he >ay>,
having your feet >hOd with the pre-
paration al the gospel 81 peace. We
understand this passage To mean that
we must h. provided with the spirit
81 obedience 10 the gospel. the obey
ing ~ its commands. The bible con
tain> the gospel. and We are tu hav,
il ia our minds and hearts. that ",
may have nO rUom for dallying Will
temptation. The preparation of th'
gospel. the obedience Of the gospel vii
help us in this journey and in the hat
tie Of life.
But enough 81 this: shall talk q
only three words Of the passage. the>'
three ''Gu>peruf Peace" Pardon m'
while | depart from my usual custom
and give YOU the sermon in fuul
>cene>.
Scenc lSt. Night has drawn a.
sable curtain over the earth. the las
rayS of the setting sun had turne'
from mellow gold - the richest re-
and then faded away into the soft
twilight. one by one the light-keepe
uf the heavens had taken the star
from the hiding place and pinne'
; them fast tO heavens embruidere'
scroll. They twinkled merrily a. the!
looked down upon a sleeping world
Some hung over pasture where som
shepherds were watching their flock,
, All was quiet save perhaps the tink
AAllE Ol NAAf REAA~ AAuAAE ~ AAAt NV ~ -
the flock. Who can fathom tn
thoughts of those Jewish shepherds
4 haps IL in the silent watches q
that night they guarded their sheel
they were thinking 81 their nation
the chosen people OF God. They wer
contrasting the former glory of l>rae
Ni.h its present bondage. The Jew
iSh nation was AT that time under tn
control uf Rome. ROme'> eagle
rested in the holy city 81 Jerusalem
|, and while Caesar was lenient. yet tn
Jews had been victors themselves To-
often To submit tamely Co defeat
They were quiet on the exterior, bu
S deep down iu their hearts was
Smuuldering fire 81 discomfort. read
, To burst into a aamc of rebellion a
/. the slightest breath Of encourage
e ment. aud We say perhaps these sheI
], herds. patriotic men were engaged !
! thought that night. y vague lonl
ing for the departed glory Of lsrae
filed their breasts. They sighed IL
= the return uf the favor of God. The
anxiously awaited the coming Of th
: long expected Messiah, but suddenl
n their thoughts were dispelled. fright
n ened they gaze heayenward. surel
4 their eyes deceive them. but nav
e nearer aud still nearer IL comes, th
n form uf man and yet descendin
= from heaven and clothed with a mos
glorious light and hear his word
Fear not. for behold | bring "a
glad tidings Uf great joy which sha
Is be To all people. for unto YOU j. bor
tn day in the city of David "a
: fnttr yvnfrh l. Christ the Lord.