The Yale expositor., 1902-02-28


OF DIR. Talmage is full OF inspiring
thoughts for those who find life a
struggle and shows that we have many
celestial sympathizors; texts. Hebrews
xii, /. Seeing we also are eompassod
about with so great a cloud OF Wit
ncsses;" ] Corinthians XIV. 30. II have
fought with beasts At Ephesus."
Crossing the Alps by the Mont Cents
pass or through the Mont Cents tun-
mel. you are la a few hours set down
at Verona. Italy. and IN a few minutes
begin examining one OF the grandest
ruins OF the world. the Amphitheater.
The whole building sweeps around You
In a circle. You stand I'm the arena
whore the combat was once fought or
the race run. ami on all sides the seats
rise. tier above tier. until you count
forty elevations or galleries. as shall
sec nt 60 call them. IN which sat tho
senators. the kings and the $4,000 cX-
cited spectators. At the sides Of tho
arena and under the galleries are the
cages where the lions and tigers are
kept without food until. frcnzled with
hunger and thirst. they are let out up
on some poor victim. who. with his
sword and alone. Is condemned 10 meet
them. ! think that Paul himself once
stood IN such n place and that IL was
not only figuratlvely. but literally. that
he had fought with beasts at Ephe-
sus."
The gala day has come. From all the
world the people are pouring into Nero-
ma. Every place IS filled. I'M
monsity OF audience sweeping the great
circle. silence The time for the contest
has come. A Roman Official leads forth
the victim into the arena. Let him get
his sword with firm grip into his right
hand. The % 600 sit hrcathlossly watch
ing. ! hear the door az the side OF the
arena crcak open. Out plungcs the half
starved lion. his tongue athirst for
blood. and with roar that brings all
the galleries to their feet he rushcs
against the sword OF his comhatant
Do you know how long n stroke a man
will strike when his life depends upon
the first thrust OF his blade? The
wild beast. lame and bleeding, sinks
back toward the side OF the arena;
then rallying his wasted strength he
comes up with fercer eye and more
terrible roar than ever. only 90 be
driven back with n fatal wound, while
the combatant comes in with stroke
after stroke until the monster Is dead
at his feet. and the $4,000 clap their
hands and utter n shout that makes
the city'trembie.
To one OF the Roman amphitheatrl-
cal audiences OF 100000 people Paul
refers when he says. we are com
passed about with so great n cloud OF
witnesses" The direct reference In
the last passage is made 90 race; but
elsewhere having discussed that. take
now Paul's favorlto idea OF the Chris
tian life rs n combat.
The fact is that every Christian
man has a lion 90 fight. Yours Is n
/ bad temper. You have been thrown
by It tlEc AID again. but in the
strength Of God you have arisen TO
/ drive Il back. verify believe you
will conquer think that the tcmpta-
/ ton Is getting weaker and weaker.
/ You have given II so many wounds
I that the prospect Is that II win die.
I and YOU shall DE the victor. through
| Christ. Courage. brother, DO not let
the sands OF the arena drink tie blood
/ OF your soul!
Your lion Is the passion for strong
drink. You may have contcnded
against Il for twenty years. but IL Is
strong OF body and thirsty Of tongue.
Take this weapon. sharp and keen
reach up and get Il from Gods armory
the sword Of the Spirit. With that
thou mayest drive him back and con-
quer!
But why specify when every man
and woman has a lion 10 fight? II
there be one here who has no besettl=l
sin. let him speak out. for him have
offended. II you have not fought tho
lion. II is because you have let the lion
cat you up. This very moment the
contest goes on. The Trajan celebra
ton. where 10000 gladiators fought
and II 900 wild beasts were slain. wa!
for the life OF the body; this Is for the
life OF the soul. That was with wIlt
beasts from the jungle; this Is with
the roaring lion OF hell.
Men think. when they contens
against an evil habit. that they have
TO fight'it all 9lone No! They stan,
In the center OF an immense circle o
sympathy. Paul had been rcciting tn
names OF Abel Enoch. Noah. Abraham
Sarah. Isaac Joseph. Gideon and Baral
and then says Being compassed abou
with so great cloud OF witnesses.
on the first elevation OF tho ancien
Gmphitheater. on the day OF cclcbra
ton. sat Tiberius or Augustus or "a
reigning king. SO In the great aren
OF spectators that watch our struggle
and In the first divine gallery. as
shall call Il. sits our King. ono Jesu,
On HIS head are many crowns. Tn
Roman emperor got his place by col
blooded conqucsts. but our King hat
+ come 10 hts place by the broken heart
henie1 aud the foara .yfped away An