The Grenada sentinel., 1897-03-20

ginning. Though q wandering child
OF God, see in It yet the Great Fathers
lineaments. Though tossed and driven
by the storms Of 5000 years, she sails
bravely yet, and as at her launching in
the beginning the morning stars sang
together and all the sons Of God
shouted for joy, so at last when COM
ing into the calm harbor Of Gods mercy
she shall be greeted by the huzzas OF
glorifed Kingdoms. It is not the world
against which we contend, but ita
transgressions. Whatever is obstinate
in the will, degrading in passion,
harmful in custom, false In friendship,
hypocritical in profession - against
all this Christ makes onset. From
false profession He would tear the mask.
From oppression He would snatch the
rod. From pride He would rend off the
plumes. From revenge He would exor-
else the devil. While Christ loved the
world so much He died to save it, He
hates sin SO well that to eradicate the
last trace Of its pollutian He will utter
ly consume the continents and the
oceans. At the gate of Eden the decla-
ration OF perpetual enmity was made
against the serpent. The tumult round
about Mount Sinai was only the roar
and fash Of Gods artillery of wrath
against sin. Sodom on fire was only
one Of Gods flaming bulletins announc-
ing hostility. Ninevah and Tyre and
Jerusalem in awful ruin mark the track
Of Jehovah's advancement. They show
that God was terribly in earnest when
He announced Himself abhorrent Of all
iniquity. They make us believe that
though nations belligrent and revenge
full may sign articles of peace and come
to an emicable adjustment, there shall
be no cessation OF hostilities between
the forces Of light and the forces of
darkness until the Kingdoms of this
world have become ths kingdoms Of
our Lord. Affrighted by no opposition,
discouraged by no temporary defeats,
shrinking from no exposure-every man
to his position, while from the top of
schools and churches and seminaries
and asylums, I'm the name of God we
will set up our banners"
Again, it was the custom in ancient
times, for the purpose of gathering
armies, to lift an ensign on the top Of
some high hill, SO that all who saw 1t
would feel impelled to rally around it.
In more modern times the same plan
has been employed for the gathering
of an army. Thus 1t is that the church
of Christ lifts His flag for recruits. The
cross of Jesus is our standard. planted
on the hill of Calvary. Other armies
demand that persons desiring to enter
the lists of war shall be between such
and such an age, lest the folly of ex-
treme youth or the infrmity of ad-
vanced age be clog rather than an
advantage. But none are too young
for Christ's regiment; none can be
too old. The hand that is strong
enough to bound a ball or trun-
die a hoop is skilled enough to
fight for Christ while many hand
trembling with old age has grasped
the arrow Of truth, and with dim eye
close to it, taking aim, has sent its
sharp point right through the heart of
the Kings enemies. Many of you have
long ago had your names written on
the roll of celestial troops. and you
like the service well, although you now
bear the scars OF multitudinous con-
ficts and can recount many long
march, and tell Of siege guns opened
on you that you thought never would
be spiked. But there may be some who
have not yet enlisted. Your being here
implies that you are seriously thinking
about it, and your attention makes me
hope you are only looking for the
standard to be hoisted. viii you not.
a hundred Of you, with all the aroused
enthusiasm of your nature. come bound
ing into the ranks, while I'm the name
of God we set up our banners?'
Again, when grand victory has been
won, it is customary to announce it by
flags floating from public buildings and
from the masts of ships. They are the
signal for eulogy and rejoicing and
festivity. So the ensign which the
church hoists is banner of victory.
There was time when the religion OF
Christ was not considered respectable.
Men of learning and position frowned
upon it. Governments mathematical |
its supporters. To be Christian was
to be an underling. But mark the
difference. Religion has compelled |
the worlds respect. Infdelity, in
the tremendous effort it has made
to crush it, has complimented
its power. And there is not now
q single civilized nation but in its
constitution, or laws, or proclamations
pays homage to the religion of the
cross. In the war in India, when Sir
Archibald Campbell found in an hour
of danger that the men he ordered to
the field were intoxicated, and asked |
for the pious men whom the Christian |
Havelock had under his management,
he said: Call out Havelock's saints;
the are never drunk, and Havelock is !
always ready" That Christianity |
which gathered its first trophies from |
the fishermen's huts on the shore Of |
Galilee, now has Samsonian strength |
thrown upon its shoulders and has car
ried oft the gates Of science and woldly |
power. We point not to fortresses and
standing armies and navies as the |