The weekly intelligencer., 1897-03-20

mont. IhCy show that God was terri
bly in earnest when he announced him
self abhorrcnt of all iniquity. They
make us believe that though nations
belligcrent and revengeful may sign
articles of peace and come to an ami
cable adjustment, there shall be no ces-
sation of hostiliticS between the forces
of light and the forces of darkness un-
til the kingdoms of this world have
become the kingdoms of our Lord. At
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
mp our banDers.
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 it.
In modern times the same plan has
been employed for the gathering of an
army Thus il 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
the lists of war shall be between such
and such an age, lest the folly of ex-
treme youth or the inhrmity of ad-
vanced age be a 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 trundle hoop
is skilled enough to fight for Christ,
n
old age has grasped the arrow of
truth, and with dim eye close to it,
taking aim, has sent it's 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
scars of multitudinous conflicts 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
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. Will you not, 100 of
you, with all the aroused enthusiasm
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 encour.
age us in the strife. The McCheynes
and the Pavsons and the Martyrs and
the Brainerds, an uncounted multitude
of the glorified, are our coadjutors.
Have you heard the Swiss tradition?
The herdsmen say that three great
leaders of the Helvetic nation, though
dead, are only lying down
under the ground, in their oldtime dress,
themselves with sleep, and
that II at any time the liberties of
their country are in danger they will
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 Lord
Himself will not only come to the de-
liverance, but those great ancient S
who have seemed to be sleeping among
the dead shall Immediately hear the
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
tion, 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 mis-
stations. They have scarcely
yet begun to accomplish what they |!
propose. 1t takes some time to dig the |
trenches and elevate the standard and |
direct the great guns. From what l
hear, ! think they are about ready |
now. Let but the great Captain wave |
the signal, and the ringing of celestial |
Weaponry shall quake every dungeon |
of hell and sound up among the thrones |
of Heaven. Pagodas and temples shall |
tumble under the shock, and besotted |
nations flying from their idols and |
shouting like the CON
worshiper of Baal, The Lord, |
He is the God! The Lord, He is the
Godr'
We go not alone to the field. We have
Hvincible allies in the dumb elements
.f nature. AS JOB said, we are in |
eagpe with the very stones 9f the field. |
phe sun by day and the moen by night, |
tianity. The stars In their courses are
al.a l..4 hi
against Sisera. The winds of Heaven
are now as certainly acting in favor of
Christ as in reformation times the in
Armada, in its pride, approached
the coast of England. AS that proud
navy directed their guns against the
friends of Christ and religious liberty,
God said unto his winds, 'Seize hold of
them," and to the sea, Swallow
them" The Lord, with His tempests,
dashed their hulks together and splin-
tered them on the rocks until the flower
Of Spanish pride and valor lay crushed
among the waves of the sea beach. All
are ours. Aye! God the Father, God
the Son, and God the Holy Ghost arg
our allies.
Now the church goes forth bearing
precious seed, but after awhile II will
be the esheaf-biqding, and reaper angels
shall shout the harvest heme. Now it
IS tents and marching and exposure,
but then in the ranks Of prostrate ip=
quity and on the very walls of Heaven.
In the name of God we viii set up opF
banners"
BY and by you would hardly know
the earth if you saw it. The world as
a whole shall be as greatly improved
as the individual heart by conversion.
Fraud, leaving its trickery, will go to
work for an honest living. Knavery
shall begin TO make righteous bar
gains. Passial shall answer to the
control of reason. Scoffers shall
be changed into wershipers, and
skeptics into Bible leyers. Christ
shall begin His reign on earth:
Whether He shall descend onto
the earth in person and establish q
government at Jerusalem, l cannot
say; but it will be an era of more than
Augustan splendor. That Is enough.
Knowing this we can never despair,