El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-28
! In The CHURCHES.

BILE unto God which Is your reasonable
service" Again, the soldier must make
an effort in order to get into the army.
You know this is not always an easy
talk Il heard story a.few days ago OF q
tried to join the Rough Riders and
failed. He ,hen tried to get in as a
volunteer and failed: finally when a
train load of soldiers were passing
through on their way to
California he learned that
a few recruits were desired,
He sprang to his feet on hearing this
and said Good bye boys, you may not see
me any more. He hasetned to the depot
enrolled, and is today in Manila.
So the Christian Soldier must make
some effort in order to JOIN we army.
GOD never drafts men into his service.
True indeed, there are no physical re-
quirements is: there is no age limit but
the individual must come and o1er MS
services. God never accepts any SUD-
stitutes. Some men seem to think
that in sOme way their wives Will get
them through. But L tell you friends,
it is q mistake. Every man must en-
list for himself. God never accepts
those marks that distinguish him as y
soldier. He puts on the uniform, you
can tell him by his bearing almost as
far as you can see him. You know
where to fipd him; in the camp and In
his regiment. The other day l was
speaking of writing to q soldier now in
the Philippines. And it was remarked
that 1 could easily reach him If L knew
his regiment. So it is with the Chris
tian soldier. He must put on those
marks, and assume that attitude that
n iSfI isl nS i'm . a
he is true soldier you always know
where to find him; in the camp if
Christians and in his own regiment,
that is at church and al his own
church.
Again the soldier must put on his ar
NOR or equipment. Not an armor
chosen by himself but that furnished
by his country. So the Christian SOL
der must put on the armor that God
specifies.
If Christians could choose their own
armor with which to convert the
heather they would probably take a
fe " iron clads, q few Krupps, and few
Calling guns,a few Wiuchesters OF the
long range type and march to the con-
quest. This would be Christian war
fare in earnest. AMI speaking from
worldly stand poins there might be
some wisdom in such a warfare, this,
or however much to be deplored-out
side of the gOspel-is the mig htiest of
all civiliZing Influences. But God has
specified q different armor for the
Christian.
He is to take the breast plate of
righteousness. In ancient times the
breastplate was to protect the heart.
No part of the Christian needs so
much protection as the heart. II the
heart is kept right then all is we'll; if
not all is lost. Nothing is so effective as
a breastplate for the Christian, as
purity, and justice. II
vulnerable.
The helmet of salvation. Aside
from the heart nothing needs to be so
closely guarded as the head From
skepticism, from false doctrines, from
wrong conclusions. But if salvation
is round about the head of the Chris
tian: if be can say, know that 1 am
saved, nothing can penetrate such a
helmet.
Then his feet are to be shod with
the preparation of the gospel of peace.
The Christians feet Ought-tO be shod.
There are many rough and thOruy
places over which he must pass, But
if his feet are shed with that peculiar
called the gospel of peace.
Ii he carries q message OF love and Joy
and peace and charity his feet will al
ways be secure. "How beautiful up
on the mountains are the feet Of him
that bringeth rood things that pub
lisheth peace"
Then he is to be grit about with the
girdle of truth. In ancient times the
girdle was for binding up the garments
and strengthening the loins. So for
the Christian, the girdle of truth binds
together all other virtues and gives
to the man. Christ says.
am the truth, and the mau who is grit
about with Christ, who can Withstand
him? He is to take the shield OF faith.
Faith looks in every direction. II
man has faith, no temptation can
swerve him from his true course. No
arrow of the wicked one can penetrate
a shield like that.
The Christian is to take the sword of
the spirit, that is the word of God.
This is the only piece of offensive arm
or mentioned, this is the weapon that
Christ used. When he was tempted
he said: st is written thou shalt not
tempt the Lord thy Cod" and when