Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1897-03-24

/
exercise the devil While Christ loved
the world so much lie died 10
save it, lie hates sin so we'll that 10
eradicate the last trace OF its pollution
He will utterly consume the continents
and the oceans Al the gate of Eden
the declaration of perpetual enmity
I was made against the serpent. The
tumult round about Mount Sinai was
only the roar and fash of Gods artii-
lcry or wrath against sin. Sodom on
IRE was only one of Gods flaming bull
lctius announcing hostility. Nine
vah aud Tyre aud Jerusalem in awful
ruin mark the track OF Jehovah's ad-
I vanccment They show that God was
terribly ia earnest when lie announced
himself abhorcnt of all iniquity. They
make us believe that though nations
bei!igcrcnt and rcvcngcful may sign
articles o. peace and come 10 AMIGA BILE
adjustment, there shall be no cessation
OF hostilitics between the forces OF
! light and the forces of darkness until
| the Kingdoms OF this world become the
Kingdoms OF our Lord. ATrighted by
no opposition; discouraged by no tenn
porary defeats shrinking from no cx-
posure-cvcry man to his position.
while from the top of our schools and
churches and seminarics 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 all that s;tw it would
feel imPelled to rally around it. In
! more 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 de-
| mand that persons desiring TO enter
| the lists of war shall bc between such
and such an age, lest the folly of ex-
| trcmc youth or the infrmity OF adj
vantage. But none are too Young for
| Christs regiment; none can be too old.
! The hand that is strong cnourh TO
bound ball or trundlc a hoop +,
skilled enough TO fight for Christ. while
| many hand trembling with old are
| has graSpcd the arrow OF truth, and
| with dim eye close to it, taking aim
has sent IS 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 conflicts and can re-
count many Il 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 il.
and your attention makes me hope YOU
are only looking for the standard to be
| hoistcd. VIII you not, hundred OF
| you, with all the aroused enthusiasm
OF your nature, come bounding into
the ranks, while In the name OF God
we set up our banner"
Through natural modcsty do YOU
! hold back and say, II will bc OF no adj
vantage TO Christ; I am too avn, ward
10 learn the step of the host or to nc of
| any service in the shock OF battlc?"
| To You ] make the reply. Try it, One
| hour under Christs drill and YOU
would so well understand his rules that
| the first step of Your march heaven
| ward would make the gates OF hell
trcm bic on their hinges. We may not bc
as polished and trim rs many Chris
tans we have known, and we may not
rs well understand sharpshooting. but
there Is rough work which we can all
accomplish. We may be aXmen. and
hew pathway through the forests
We may be spaaesmen, and dig the !
trenches or throw up the fortiG- |
cations. We do not care where. |
we do not care what, IL we can only !
help in the cause OF our King and |
shout as loudly as any OF them at the !
completion Of the conquest
There are uon-professors who have a |
very correct idea of what Christians
ought 10 be You have seen mem ers
OF the church who were as proud as
Ahah and lied as badly rs Anauias. and
who were as foul hypocritcs as Judas.
You aohor u.i that You say followers
OF Christ ought e. be honorable. hum-
BILE and seI!-icnying, and charitable.
ana patient, and forgiying. Amen
30 'A"v ought Come into the king
dom of Christ. my nearer. and be lust
that glorious Christian that you
haze described Every church has /
enough s,ln"y men i'm it TO /
arrest its charities. and cnourh |
proud men iu 10 TO gricvc away the /
Holy Ghost, and enough lazy men i'm il !
To hang ou behind I'll. its wheels like |
iharapns cHariot-. drag heavily. and |
enough worldly men 90 exhaust the |
/ patience Jf tuc very elect. and enough |
I snar'E men to make appropriate the
/ Bible warning. "Bcware Of dors III
/ any of yol men on the outside of
. iae kingdom expect 20 make such
+ Christians 90, that. we do not want you
. 90 come. Tor the church has already a
Ih't'ion members too many OF just that
/ kind We do not want our ranks
. crowded AL.