The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-03-19

banner of proclamation.
The church makes no assault upon
the world do not believe that God
ever made better world than this. II
is magnificent in its ruins. Let us stop
talking so much against the world.
God pronounced it very good at the be-
ginning. Though a wandering child
of God, l 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 morn
ing stars sang together and all the
sons of God shouted for joy, so at last,
when coming into the calm harbor of
Gods mercy, she shall be greeted by
the huzzas of glorified Kingdoms. 1t
is not the world against which we con-
tend, but its transgres Sions. What
ever 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 exercise the devil. While Christ
| loved the world so much He died to save
/ it, He hates sin so well that to eradi-
cate the last trace of its pollution He
will utterly consume the continents
and the oceans. At the gate of Eden
the declaration of perpetual enmity
was made against the serpent. The
/ 4 10,
| only the roar and flash of Gods artil-
/ lery of wrath against sin. Sodom on
fire was only one of Gods flaming bull
letins announcing hostility. Nineveh
| and Tyre and Jerusalem in awful ruin
mark the track of JehOvah's advance
ment. They show that God was terri
/ bly, in earnest when he announced him
self abhorrent of all iniquity. They
make us believe that though nations
belligerent and revengeful may sign
articles of peace and come to an ami
| cable adjustment, there shall be no ces-
sation of hostilities between the forces
of light and the forces of darkness I'M
| til the kingdoms of this world have
become the Kingdoms of our Lord. AZ
| frighted 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 asy-
lums. In 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 it
would feel impelled to rally around 1t.
In modern times the same plan has
been employed for the gathering of an
army. Thus it is that the church of
Christ lifts its 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-
| IRENE youth or the infirmity of adj
vanced age be a clog rather than an
advantage. But none are too young
for Christs regiment; none can be too
old The hand that is strong enough
to bound a ball or trundle hoop
is skilled enough to fight for Christ,
while many a 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 Serv-
ice well, although you now bear the
s OF nd
can recount many a 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
vet 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, 100 of
you, with all the aroused enthusiasm
of your nature, come bounding into the
ranks, while I'm the name of God we
set up our banners"
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 eneour-
age us in the strife. The McCheynes
and the Paysons and the Martyrs and
the Brainerds, an uncounted multitude
of the glorifed, are our coadjutors.
Have you heard the Swiss tradition?
The herdsmen say that three great
leaders of the Helvetic nation, though
seemingly dead, are only lying down
under the ground, in their oldtime 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 l not have
the thought that if ever the church OF
the blessed Christ shall be threatened
withe destruction by foes which seem
too great for her strength, the Lcrd
Himself will not only come to the de-
liverance, but those great ancient
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 posi4iouS in the -anlyS Of Cod with