The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-12

the sacred desk constitute a wonderful
text. used by a great army of young
people in Christian Endcavor societies,
Baptist Young Peoples unions. Ep-
worth leagues and various other or
ganizations of young people.
II saw this morning under a shaded
and secluded step by the parsonage a
little rose bush. It's leaves were green.
even in mid-winter. but never will it
bear a blossom 1t is growing. has life,
but still it cannot bear flowers, why?
Not one ray of sunshine ever touches
it. All the light ii gets is reflected
light. Just felt that I wanted to dig
it up and carry it where 1t would like
to be. Think of this sick rose bush
and see if you can get my thought for
you in this simple illustration.
There are many classes of Chris
tians. Paul stands first as the most
vigorous of Christians. He was not
always Paul, but once Saul of Tarsus.
His ministry set forth many phases
of the Christian life. Though a jew.
he was born under the Roman law
and frequently came in touch with the
Roman soldiers. So it is not surprising
that he often referred to soldier-life
for types of christianity. With the
soldier as an Illustration we can draw
many lessons. There are five great
classes of soldiers.
First is the descrter. Some time ago
as | searched the military records in
the state house at Trenton saw again
and again "dcserted' placed after the
names of men who had pledged them
selves to the service of their country.
bu, in some weak hour under tempta-
tion they had fallen. Did you ever
know one who had promised to be true
to the cause of Christ become a de-
serter?
Another type is the soldier In the
guard house. Some time ego I visited
Chickamauga. I saw the saddest scene
in camp life. There l saw men guard
ed and manacled as prisoners. Did YOU
ever know of Christian who was in
the guard house of doubt?
Another type is the soldier in the
hospital, who. though not wounded on
the field of battle, has in some way
been jostled and wounded by sights
and perhaps Is going about on crutches.
Do you know of any Christian who is
in the hospital? Our next type is the
soldier on dress parade. a few years
ago at Fort Leavenworth I happened
to see dress parade. a finer lot of
men ! never saw and every one of them
looked as if he felt proud of himself,
but the prOudest of all was the officer
in his gay uniform and tinsel. Did
you ever know of a Christian who was
out on dress parade?
ANOTHER TYPE.
"There is still another type. What
kind is it? Day before yesterday the
United States army and navy, with
flags at half-mast, swords draped and
drums rolling the funeral dirge, gave
to General LawtOn the last tribute of
military funeral. In him we have
type of soldier in battle. He is the
type of the Christian victorious. and
we have them in the church today.
"There is life of defeat, but the
text gives us the assurance of victory.
1t Is not guess at victory, but an
assurance from God. God will take
MS. discouraged though we may be.
and give us divine JUNCTION and promise
us victory.
What is the secret of victory? The
| world calls it faith. Faith is the pow :
cr Of linking the human soul to God.
IT Is more than faith that saves, for
faith is used up in believing A new
power is given us. 1t is the endue-
ment of the Holy Ghost; something
deeper and holier than faith. Unbe-
lief is an enemy of the church. Mr..
Moody said that the fault was not with
the world. but with us Christians. The
lac ,f =,
more for inspiring Christians than win
ming souls
Now let us take our practical ap-
plication. Christian friend. God has
something more for you and me than
we have ever had. 1t is Himself. that
which inspires faith, and the promise
| is unto you and your children and there
is not one of you who cannot have
this as distinct gift just as freely
| as you had your salvation. This morn
ing you can have the gift of the Holy
Spirit by faith. just as by faith YOU
received your salvation