El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-28
FIRST M. e. CHURCH.
"The Christian Soldier and His Ar
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line Chr1Stldn SOldler ana Ills mr.
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Rev. A. M. Lumpkin preached at
the First M. E. church Sunday morn
ing from the text: Take unto you the
whole armor of God, that ye may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all to stand. Ephesians
613
He said in part: The life of the
Christian has been variously repre-
sented in the bible and elsewhere. 1t
is beautiful figure that represents
him as q mariner upon the sea of life;
his vessel upheld by the buoy OF hope,
with sails full spread to an eager wind,
and kerchief waving to every passer
by.
Yet when we think of the Christian
as a mariner, we cannot forget that he
has embarked upon q sea whose sound
ings have not all been taken; the chart
has not all been made out. The com
pass is not always in working order.
There are rocks against which he may
be dashed. There are shoals over
which he cannot cross. There are
whirl-pools into which he may be
plunged; there are storms that may
overtake him at any moment, while on
every hand there are abundant evil
dences that on the sea of life there
have been many fatal wrecks.
The Christian is sometimes repre-
sented as pilgrim upon q long and
weary journey. He has forsaken the
the city of refuge But his form Is
bent with heavy load; his limbs are
weary and his feet are sore and bleed
ing. The way has been rough and
rocky. The path has often been dim;
he has crossed many a mOrass, and the
future is dark and uncertain. But
thanks be to GOD, in these latter days
new character has been introduced. 1t
is one whom the Christian can always
sence always cheers. 1t is one who
when the heart is faint is able to
strengthen. 1t is one who when the
load is heavy helps to bear it. 1t is
one who when the way is dark and un-
certain takes the pilgrim by the hand
and safely leads him on. Glory to God
for the Christian dispensation.
The Christian is sometimes repre-
sented as contestant in q race He
has laid aside everything that would
hinder his progress. The goal is ahead;
everything ia at stake. He has but one
chance-one run to make; there is no
looking backward, no turning aside to
be permitted. The city of refuge is
his destination. The gate is ajar, and
happy is he if he can each it before 1t
closes. See, the race is on. His hands
are extended to reach the goal Speed.
speed, We Christian soul. 1t is now or
never. Yet there is goal. A reward
at the end of every Christian race. Not
q crown of olives that will fade in a
day, but q crown that will endure
throughout the eternal ages.
But more often, and perhaps more
appropriately, the Christian is referred
to as soldier. Indeed there are many
similarities between the soldier and
the follower of Jesus Christ. The man
who enlists in the service of his cOun-
try must make up his mind to give up
everything else. He must fOrsake his
father and mother and friends, some !
times against their bitterest protest. |
There was scarcely man entered the
last war who did not do it against the
protest of somebody. So the man who |
becomes Christian must often do 1t
against the protest of his worldly COM |
panions. But Christ says, "He that
loveth father or mother more than me,
ia not worthy of me-" Again, the SOL !
der Sacrifices his business interests. His
farm, his shop, his store, must all be
left to others.
o, that the average Christian was a !
little more willing>to give up some |
thing of his financial interests. They
WOulO DOG tu0u Keep tuelT OpSA
on the Sabbath. They would not then
resort to questionable business meth !
DDS. They would not then see the cause
of God lsnguish when by little effort
on their part they could come to it's
rescue.s The soldier renders his body
living sacrifice. He places himself
entirely in the hands of his country. |
He is ready to face any danger, even
death itself, if need be, for the cause
in hand. This is the greatest sacrifice
that man can possibly make. And no
man is capab BILE of his best work until
he sacrifices everything, even his life,
to that one thing.
This is true in what ever sphere of
life, whether in science Or any profess
sion. Paul declares that this is q rea-
sonable thing for the Christian to do.
81 beseech you brethren by the
mercies of Goo that ye present your
bodies living sacrifice, Holy accepta-