The Progress., 1897-03-20

These ensigns are strcamers borne on the
point of u lance and on the top of wooden
shafts. They nre carried in the front and
rear OF armies. They unrol from the main
top gallant masthead of an adIairal's flag
ship to distinguish it among other ships OF
the same squadron They are the objects of
national pride. The loss of them on the
field is ignominious.
The three banners of the Lords hosts
are the banner Of proclamation, the banner
OF recruit and the banner of victory. When
q nation feels its rights infringed or its
honor insulted, when Its citizens have in
foreign cltmes been oppressed and no in
demnity has been offered to the inhabitant
Of the republic or kingdom, proclamation
of war Is uttered. On the top of batteries
and arsenals and custom houses and rcve-
nue. offices flags are Immediately swung
out. All who look upon them realize the
fact that uncompromising war Is declared
Thus 1t is that the church of Jesus Christ,
jealous for the honor of it's sovereign and
determined to get back those who have
been carried of captive into the bondage OF
satan and intent upon the destruction of
those mighty wrongs which have so long
cursed the earth and bent upon the extern
sion of the Saviour's reign of mercy, in the
name Of God sets up its banner of procla-
nation.
The church makes no assault upon the
world / do not believe that God ever
made a better world than this. 1t is mag
nificenJ in its ruins Let us stop talking
30 much against :Ae world. God pro
nounced 1t very good at the beginning
Though wandering child of God, I see
In 1t yet the great Fathers lineaments
Though tossed and driven by the storms
OF 5000 years, she sails bravcly yet, and
rs ut her launching in the beginning the
morning stars sang together and all the
sons of God shouted for Joy, so at last
xvl@v
Gods mercy, she shall be greeted by the
buzzas of gloriiled Kingdoms. 1t is not
the world against which we contend, but
its trans gressions. Whatever is obstinate
In the will, degrading in passion, harmful
in custom, false III friendship, bypocritical
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 rcnd 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 go well that to eradicate the
last trace of its pollution he will utterly
consume the continents and the oceans
At the gate Of Eden the declaration of per-
petuai ennity was made against the ser
pent The tunlult roundabout Mount
Sinat was only the roar md flash of Gods
artillery of wrath against sin. Sodom on
uro was only one OF God S flaming bulletins
announcing hostility. Nineveh and Tyre
and Jerusalem in awful ruin mark the
truck of Jehovuhs advancement. They
show that God was terribly in earnest
when he announced himself abhorrenb of
all ipiqu!ty- They make us believe that
though nations belligerent and revengeful
may sign articles of peace and come to an
aInicablc adjustment, there shall be no
cessation of hostilities between the forces
Of HIGHT and the forreS of 1art-,,ncc
the Kingdoms of this world have become
the Kingdoms of our Lord. Affrighted by
no opposition, discouraged by no tempo
rary defeats, shrinking from no exposure
every man to his position, while from the
top of our schools and churches and semi
naries and asyluIns "in the name of God
we VIII set up our banners.'
Glorious Standard.
Again, 1t was the custom in ancient
times for tho purpose of gathering armies
TO lift an ensign on the top of some high
h ca hnf all No. <ral f-,,