The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-10
THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES.
(selected for The Times.}

THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES.
Selected for The Times.}
Wherefore seeing we also are COM
passed about with so great a cloud Of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight
and the sin which doth so easily heset us,
and let us run with patience the race
that is set before uS."-Hebr xii. l.
This text is often used for the purpose
Of cheering discouraged and faint-nearted
saints, for it shows that we are all
watched by the living dead. They are
gathered in infinite circles around our
earth, and are watching our conduct in
this race of life. The very fact that we
are surrounded by such 4 cloud Should
stir our energy, illumine our hope, con-
firm our purpose and turn our weakness
into strength.
What are we to understand by "a cloud
of Witnesses? Observers? Yes; and more
than that The right word here would be
martyrs for they are more than wit
nesses; they testify and stand ready $50
to speak) to make declarations concern
ing certain doctrines and truths. So this
witness IS not only an observer but
testifier, and a man so in earnest that he
is ready to die for it.
Time would fail me, says TIE Apostle,
to tell Of all these martyrs; OF all these
witnesses; nothing could silence them;
they wandered about in sheen skins and
goat skins, being destitute, afflicted. tor
mented: they could have changed the
whole situation by {, word. but they were
steadfast in their testimony they kept
their faith to the death.
These witnesses were men of backbone;
they were upright, massive, powerful
men, of. whom the world was not worthy;
they wandered about in deserts, in dens
and caves of the earth and found the cold
rocks warm, because their hearts were
true; they sang amid the wildness OF
the desert; they feared nothing-nor hint,
nor priest, nor law, nor beast-because
they had the commend "a ton : g IT, Oh.
Wherefore, seeing we also at the latter
end Of history are pressed upon, sur
rounded by this great cloud of martyrs
"let u.s. That is the argument. 1t IS
not an abstract appeal. 1t is not fine
essay in words. =.
1t is clarion cry to the Christian army
Men are called uponto be true, to be firm
even unto death. And the proofs Of the
appeal, and its confirmation, are to be
found not in some metaphysical or poetic
genius, but the stern realities and con-
quests Of the men who once here below
suffered and fought and are now forever
free from sin, and. more than coHquerors,
they stand watching us!
LET us lay aside every weight" In
order to be worthy of our heavenly wit
nesses, we must sleep that we may run.
n,ents that we may finish the race with
joy.
"And the sin which doth SO easily beset
u.s." This has been interpreted as re-
ferring to small offences. or what we call
besetting sin. We say Of man that his
besctting sin is avarice, or selHshness,
or Incidence. and we urge them to guard
against the sin that seems to have the
greatest hold on them. All that is right.
But the text means more than that. 1t
means the sin that is popular, that is
backed by millions. the sin that men de-.
light to own and proclaim.
We need to eXl1ort men to refrain from
the sins that bite and sting, or that We
are ashamed to mention. But there other
sins-the popular ones; first, a circle of
admirers. then q concentric circle, and
that circle multiplied by three, by thirty,
by three hundred by thirty thousand.
Sins that men are proud of, proverbs that
they quote as they sit by the Preside in
jovial mood; maxinls that they write at
tho head of their letter; shallow philoso-:
plies that cheat the nearer. and fritter
away human life, and mock the God OF
Eternity!
Lord, keep US from sins like these. and
give us grace to perseverc III the race set
before US looking unto Jesus, the author,
the finisher of our faith.