The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-28
Piles of the use of imagination to con-
vey a practical lesson.

Inc WRITER ls eXnortlnS TO CnrlS'
tian perseverance and fidelity. His
figure is drawn from the games of
the amphitheater. Press forward, be
in earnest, noble goal is before
you. You are running race, and
multitudes of spectators watch the
contest. By a few strokes of his
magic wand, he makes the past of
the nation live. Abel is summoned
from his sacrifice under the ruined
walls of Eden; Abraham from his
journey toward the land of promise;
Moses who endured as seeing him
who is invisible" from the courts of
Pharaoh; Gideon, Barak, Samson,
Jephtha, David, Samuel, and the
prophets: all who through faith
subdued kingdoms, wrought righte-
BUSINESS, obtained promises, stopped
the mouth of lions, quenched the
power of fire, escaped the edge of
the sword, from weakness were made
strong, waxed mighty in war, put to
flight the armies of the aliens" Not
only are the heroes of the nation
summoned; but the children of mis-
fortune also, who endured thro'
faith-"who had trial of cruel mock
ings and scourgings; yea, moreover,
of bonds and imprisonment" these
are all made to live again. They
crowd the sides of the amphitheater.
They look down upon those who are
today put to the test. They watch
the bearing of the new generation.
They lament the failure and rejoice
in the triumph. This, o, my brethren,
the poet of the epistle seems to
say,-this is our inspiration. They
are the spectators around the arena,
those who strove and ran of
old. The eyes of the past are upon
US. Let us do nobly and not put to
shame our ancestral hosts. "Where-
fore, let us also, seeing we are en-
comprised about with so great
cloud of witnesses, lay aside every
weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before
us, looking unto Jesus, the author
and perfection of our faith, who for
| the JOY that was set before him, en-
dured the cross, despising the shame;
and hath sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God"
(2) In the closing part of the
first epistle attributed to Peter, the
author rises into true poetic feeling,
gives wings to his imagination, in
what we shall call "The Song of
Trust" 1t is addressed to those who
labor, but who sometimes grow
weary in their work.
He points them to the crown of
victory that shines in the heavens,
and to Him who sits above the hea-
vens, yet cares for the weary and
discouraged on earth.
'Tend the flock of God which is
among you." Go on with your work
"And when the chief Shepherd shall
be manifested, ye shall receive the
crown of glory that fadeth not away"
And this is the spirit in which you
shall work. "All of you, grid your
selves with humility, to serve one an
other; for God resisteth the proud,
but giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under
the mighty hand of God, that he may
exalt you in due time; casting all
your anxiety upon him, because he
careth for you" But you will need
vigilance and courage, as we'll as hui
mility. "Be sober, be watchful; your
adversary, the devil, as a roaring
lion walketh about, seeking whom he
may devour; whom withstand, stead
fast in the faith" And what is the
outcome of it all to be? WHAT'S to be
the result of patience, and faith, and
struggle against adversaries? "The
God of all grace, who called you with
his eternal glory in Christ, after that
ye have suffered little while, shall
himself perfect, stablish, strengthen
you. To him be the dominion forever
and everr'
(3) In the second epistle, there is
a noble vision of the outcome Of hu.
man history
The rank injustice that is practiced,
the blood that the sword of ambition
has caused to flow, the tears that
have rolled down the face of sorrow,
cry out: "How long, o Lord, how
long?"
The poet begins the answer in a
gentle strain; Forget not this one
thing, beloved; that one day is with
the Lord as a thousand years, and a
thousand years as one day. The
Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some men count slackness