The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-20
THE SUNDAY PULPIT.
READY FOR ANYTHING.

Prepared unto every good work.-ll.
Timothy H., q.
There is one fact which has always
been a puzzle to me, that we should
think it possible to be spiritually success
| full without making the preparation or
taking the precautions by which alone
success can be assured.
Our expectation to end well without
beginning we'll is as amazing us would
be the attempt Of Il man to play a fan
TASTE of Vieutemps on the violin without
knowing how to use that instrument
1t is harder to live nobly than We
think, for high living is an art based on
certain memorable principles, and these
principles must he carefully studied be-
fore we can hope to achieve our purpose.
/ recall an incident which Will illus
trate my meaning. An It certain occa>i II
during the civil war | was detailed among
otheres to make a reconnaissance. The
expedition was to last perhaps three
days, and would not be wholly without
danger. How carefully we examined our
horses to see that they were in prime
condition. and with what cautious fore
sight we prepared for any emergency
that was likely to arise! We took oily
nothing that would prove an impeachment.
We were so eager to success in our mis-
sion that we looked into each others
faces as though to inquire whether our
comrades were properly armed and had
the amount of endurance that would
stand the test.
As we dashed through the cypress for
est it occurred to me that the work IL
which we were engaged closely resent led
the struggle of a soul on its way through
life to heaven.
We might meet the enemy at any turn
of the road Pehaps he was on the other
side of the hill yonder or in ambush on
the further river bank. But what cared
we? We had dashing leader who had
been in many a fray, and every man of
us had chosen his weapons with refer
ence to every chance that could arise.
SO with the soul. No one can tell
where harm is hidden or at what mo-
ment misfortune may make n rush ut
us. Temptations, trials SORROWS, be-
eavements-these are sure to attack us
at some time or other. No man ever lived
and died without encountering them ana
having his utmost strength put to the
test in the conflict.
If, like a true soldier, you take account
of this fact and prepare to meet it you
will give good account of yourself
whatever may happen. But if YOU live
in slipshod way without those cOnvic.
tons which give birth to courage, and
without that faith which is the only
thing under the stars that can sustain
you in moments of danger, you are like Il
soldier whose cartridges have become
wet and whose sword has rusted in its
scabbard.
There is nothing more important than
to have a spiritual purpose, to know VIII,
you have it and to be sure that it viii
pay you to make any sacrifice for its re
If you believe that there
is God on this earth, that heaven is
straight ahead of you, you are like the
sir knight of the Crusades who knew that
every link in his armor was honestly
forged and that his Toledo blade conln
be trusted to do the work which his
strong right arm dictated.
Temptation is the popularity Of a weak
soul. If what the world calls the d"Til
knocks at your door and finds ypu Il
creature of impurity or caprice, with no
aim in life, no faith in things above OF
things below, with no iron of integrity i'll
your blood, it will be an easy task to en-
tice you to deeds which will sooner or
later undo you and entail regrets whose
lengthening shadow will rest on your
path forever. But if he finds you 4
whole man, a man to whom meanness Is
unknown. a man who cannot be swerved
from what he knows to he his duty, the
glittering promises of advantage and ben
eft will no more tempt you than would
an invitation TO par axe of the food which
the swine do eat.
Your religion is an exact science. Y0h
are as sure as you are of law of gravita-
ton that wrong never ends N happiness.
that low life of dissipation will bring
only misery in the end. The spirit or
evil need but look into your clear eyes
to see that there is nothing within his
gift that can allure you, and your ac-
quaintance with him comes to an abrupt
termination.
Life is worth living, and it is worth
living bravely. 1t has its periods of dis
appointment and even of torment. The
martyrs of other times who were broken
on the wheel did not suffer more than
some fathers and mothers OF our day,
and it requires just as much heroism in
these times to live nobly and grandly as
was shown by those whom Nero cast into
the arena as food for lions There is a
good deal of sunshine and many
tempest in every human life. AS / look
back on those martyrs who meet their
fate firmly because they had faith in
God. | say to myself that this faith, and
nothing else, will serve us in our troubles
as it served them in theirs.
Give me the trust and confidence which
the Apostles had, which saved the Christ
from despair, and Ishall be prepared for
whatever comes and can even rejoice in
ii. Religion? 1t consists in doing your
duty, however hard it may be, in the
serene and blessed consciousness that all
heaven is in sympathy with you, is lend
ing a helping hand, and will come day
welcome you to the higher life.
GEORGE H. HEPWORTH.