The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1897-03-26

ism which God will yet let out against
the forces of darkness. AS yet they
have had only one round from the first
regiment. The Lord of hosts will soon
appear in the field at the head of His
troops. Depend upon it, that when
God inspires the soul with a new life
He puts in it the principle of never
give mp" In all ages of the church
there have been those who have
had faith that was almost
persecution and reverses with as
much expectation as through pal
pable achievements. There have been
men for Christ who have acted as did
the favorite troops of O'Brieil, attacked
by Fitzpatrick of Ossory. The wounded
soldiers begged that they might enter
the field with the others. They saidl
LET stakes be stuck in the ground and
suffer each of us, tied to and supported
by one of these stakes, to battle in the
ranks by the side of a sound man." II
is said that seven or eight hundre d
men, pale and emaciated from former
wounds, and thus supported by the
stakes, struggled through the combat.
Thus has it been that multitudes of
the children of God, though feeling
themselves weak and woun ded, per-
haps in body, perhaps in estate, per-
haps in soul, supported by the staff of
Gods promise, have warred it up to the
hilt in the subjugation of a world Of
wickedneSS.
We are mighty in this cause, for We
have the help of the pious dead. Mes
sengers of salvation from high Heaven,
they visit the field. They stand be-
hind us to keep us from ignominious
retreat. They go before us to encour-
age US in the strife. The McCheynes
and the Paysons and the Martyrs and
the Brainerds, an uncounted multi
tude of the gloriied, are our coadju-
tors. Have you heard the Swiss tradi-
great leaders of the Helvetic nation,
though seemingly dead, are only ly-
ing down under the ground, in their
old-time dress, refreshing themselves
with sleep, and that if at any time the
liberties of their country are in danger
they will Immediately spring to their
feet and drive back the enemy. May
not have the thought that if ever the
church of the blessed Christ shall be
threatened with destruction by foes
which seem too great for her strength,
the Lord Himself will not only come
to the deliverance, but those great
ancients who have seemed to be
sleeping among the dead shall
Immediately hear the trumpet
blast of the church militant, and
full-armed, spring back to their old
positions in the ranks of God, with the
battle cry: More than conquerors
through Him that loved u.s." Although
we have already much to encourage us
in the work of the worlds evangelical
ton, yet we must confess that much of
our time has been consumed in planting
our batteries and getting ready for the
conflict. We have not yet begun to
preach. We have not yet begun to pray.
We have not yet begun to work.
On the coasts of heathendom are
stations. They have
scarcely yet begun to accomplish
what they propose. 1t takes
some time to dig the trenches and ele-
vate the standard and direct the great
guns. From what 1 hear, think they
are about ready now. Let but the
great Captain wave the signal, and the
ringing of celestial weaponly shall
quake every dungeon of hell and stand
up among the thrones of Heaven.
Pagodas and temples shall tumble I'M
der the shock, and besotted nations fly.
ing from their idols and superstitions,
shouting like the confounded worship
ers of Baal: 1.-THE Lord, He is the God!
The Lord. He is the Godp'
You know in ancient times elephants
were trained to fight, and that on one
occasion, instead of attacking the
enemy, they turned upon their owners,
and thousands were crushed under the
stroke of their trunks and the mountain
weight of the steps. These mighty
of work for Christ may
accomplish great things in overcoming
the sin of the world and beating to
pieces its errors, but If we do not
WELD them Alright these very advan-
tages will, in unguarded moments, turn
terribly upon us, and under their heels
Of vengeance grind us to powder. Re-
jected blessings are seven-fold curses.
We can not compromise this matter.
We can not stand aside and look on.
Christ has declared it: ''All who are not
with me are against me-" Lord Jesus,
we surrender.
My subject has taught you that in
this contest we are not without ensignS
and colors. All we want now is men
TO carry them. Before 1 sit down I
must propose to each of you this great
honor. Becoming Christian is not so
gnoble a thing as many have thought
It. at makes man stoop," you say,
Il know it, but it is only the stoop of
IN heir of royalty, who on his
knees is to receive a crown of do
ninion. We want standard-bearers in
Ill pulpits, in all places of business
everywhere. do not ask you how old
you are, nor how young; how weak or
strong; how dull or how sharp; nor
what your home, nor who your ances-
tors. Without any condition, without
any reserve, in the name of the God
Of Israel, 1 offer you the honor
Of carrying the church's ensigns.
Do not be afraid of the assaults of a
world whose ranks you desert nor of |
devils who will oppose you with in
fernal might. 1t were more blessed to |
fall here than stand anywhere else. 1t |
we're more of an honor, engaged with |
Christ, to be trampled under foot with |
This army of banners, than, opposing |
Christ, to be buried like Edward l. in |
Egyptian porphyry.
Scattered by the blasts of Jehovahs |
aostrils, plumber, and sin, and Satanic |
force shall quit the field. AS the roar
If the conflict sounds through the |
Universe all worlds shall listen. The |
lir shall be full of wings of Heaven
v cohorts. The work is Gore, and |
n the presence of a world reclaimed |
'or the crown of Jesus, and amid the |
of tyrannies and the defeat |
IF Satanic force. and amid the sound /