The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1898-03-03
SERMON TO RIFLEMEN.
PREACHED BYR REV DIR GREASY,
CHAPLAIN
God Has Sanctioned, Yea, Even Com
manded War Under Certain Con-
ditions-Spear,L Lance Sling and
Bow Were Earlier Weapons.

manded War Under Certain Con-
ditions-Spear, Lance Sling and
Bow Were Earlier Weapons.
Rev DR.. Greasy, Chaplain, preached
a special sermon to the Forsyth Rifle
men, at Centenary church, Sunday
morning. Capt. Bessent and about
thirty members of the company, to
gether with a large congregation
heard the strong and appropriate dis
course, a summary OF which is given
below:
"Also he babe them teach the chill.
dren of Judah the use of the bow
The text is taken from the account
of David's words and actions, just af.
! ter he had learned Of the death OF
Saul and Jonathan, and suggests some
! thoughts appropriate to this occa-
casion.
In regard to war, we may say that,
, God has sanctioned, yea, even COM
manded it under certain circum-
stances. While 1t is to be desired,
and prayed for; and we have the prom
Use that peace shall reign from the
river to the ends of the EARTH" yet
until all men shall yield themselves
to the Prince OF Peace, this much
! desired event may not come God has
his plans for furnishing the wicked, or
rebeliUus, and it would be well for
those who think, or pretend to think
there is no punishment, or hell for
the dis 0bedient, to take special note
Of this. Sometimes, He rains fire
and birthstone upon them as IN
Sodom. Sometimes flood is sent as
in NOah's time; sometimes the earth
opens her mouth aud swallows them
as with Korah's troOps-and some
times he sends an army to destroy them
as Saul sent to destroy the Amele
kites-or the Hebrew hosts to destroy
the idolatrous people in the land
promised TO Gods children. 1t his
purpose to conquer this earth for his
Son, and in the past war, has been one
Of the elements used, and until he has
brought it to his feet, we may expect
1t to have its part still.
This being the case, it is important
for those who are to engage in war to
be properly trained in the use of the
weapons they are to WELD.
Tue earlier weapons, were the spear.
lance, sling and bow. The.use of the
bow was not only taught to the sold
iers, but chef men, such as Jehu-and
Kings sons. Such as Jonathan were
very skillful in their use.
The march of improvements in
weapons is seen very clearly when we
remember that it required a force of
from 40 to 60 pounds TO draw the bow
string sufficient to send the arrow
distance OF 200 yards But the slight
touch OF trigger now will send the
ball 200 yardS-While some of our
cannon are said to carry the ball II or
16 miles.
These soldiers were to be taught the
use OF the bow. How to bend and
string them, How to keep in good
condition when not in action. How
to shoot with effect; to do this due re-
gard must be paid TO wind and clouds,
as well as the size and kind Of arrow
used. The skilled or trained arches
did much damage to themselves in al
the ancient wars
1t was necessary for David to give
this order because their enemies were
skilled and they were not.
1t also inspired patriotism, when
they remembered the love between
Jonathan and David and how the bow
made use to help David in his need
To be skillful archer there must
be clear head, steady nerve, and I'M
dimmedvision. The body must be taken
care the habits must be of health
full kind. The same is necessary in
the skillful use of arms at the pres
ent.
But above all, they are to be trained
as Christian soldiers, and feel that
they are preparing to obey God, as
we'll as defend home and native land.
We read in Revelationiof one seated
upon white horse, bow in hand,
crown upon the head-going forth to
conquer. He is the great leader He
has had many officers and soldiers
Some men, some officers fight only for
patriotism, home, native land, and
fail in the highest, noblest and best
sense of true soldier, that is to be a
Christian soldier. Then how many
who have attained this last distinc-
tion, and we trust many more shall do
so. We may mention a few names of
the latter class, and could mention
some of the former but pass them at
present Joshua was Christian SOL
dier and had the Lord to give orders
from heaven by an angel courier David
was a warrior for God, fought many
battles, was called a man of blood, and
for this cause was not permitted to
build the Temple at Jerusalem, but he
was as useful in his place as any one
else, for it was written THAT he serv-
ed his generation by the will of God
Washington was Christian soldier
and felt that he was fighting under the
erection of God as well as that of his
country. The immo-tal Robert E.
Lee, maintained the character OF a
Christian while in arms, and as pri-
vate citizen it shown on in strength
and beauty until he was called up
higher. Stonewall Jackson was brave,
skillful soldier, unsuccessful general,
and above all Christian 1t is not to be
wondered at that, among his last
words he said, "Let us pass over the
river and rest under the shade Of the
trees" There are many other names
that are worthy of mention but time
and space forbid These are especially
ones, and we hold them up for example
in all that constitutes the all round
soldier. May the Lord bless the For
syth Rifiemen, preserve their health
and lives, be with them in their train
ing at home, or in service abroad, and
may they serve and honor Him in all
things and may we all meet in heaven
at last is the earnest prayer of your
Chaplain.