Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-03-01

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-Thls discourse
Of Dr. TaImage is full of inspiring
thoughts for those who find life
struggle and shows that we have many
celestial sympathizers; texts, Hebrews
xii, |. Seeing we also are compassed
about with so great cloud OF wit
nesses:" Corinthians XIV, 81, Il have
fought with beasts nj Ephesus."
Crossing the Alps by the Mont Gents
pass or through the Mont Cents tun-
mel. YOU are in few hours set down
ut Verona. Italy. and in few minutes
begin examining one Of the grandest
ruins Of the world. the Amphitheater.
The whole building sweeps around you
I'm Il circle. You stand In the arena
where the combat was once fought or
the race run and on all sides the seats
rise. tier above tier. until you count
forty elevations. or galleries, as shall
see tit to call them. in which sat the
senator's the kings and the Zo,OOO eA-
cited spcctators. At the sides or the
arena and under the galleries are the
cages I'm which the lions and tigers are
kept without food until, frenzied with
hunger and thirst. they are let out up
on some poor victim. who, with his
sword and alone. is condemned to meet
them. think that Paul himself once
stood I'm such place and that 1t was
not only figuratively, 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 Vero-
nn. Men. women and children, orators
and senators. great men and small,
thousands upon thousands come untli
the first gallery is full, and the second
the third. the fourth. the fifth-all the
way ND to the twentieth. all the way
up to the thirtieth. all the way up to
the fortieth. Every place is filled. I'M
mensity of audience sweeping the great
circle. Silence. The time for the contest
bns come. \ Roman official leads forth
the victim into the arena. Let him get
his sword with firm grip into his right
hand. The $1,000 st breathlessly watch
ing. hear the door at the side OF the
arena creak open. Out plunges the hair
starved Hon. his tongue athirst Tor
blood, and with roar that brings all
the galleries TO their feet be rushes
apainst the sword of the combatant.
-
man will strike when his life depends
upon the FIRST thrust Of his bladeT The
wild benst. lame and bleeding, sinks
back toward the side Of the arena;
then rallylug his wasted strength he
comes up with fercer eye and more
terrible rOnr than ever, only TO be
driven back with II fatal wound, whlle
the combatant comes in with stroke
after stroke until the monster Is dead
at his feet. and the 25,O00 clap their
hands and utter shout that makes
the city trembe.
Sometimes the audience came to see
race: sometimes to see gladiators
fight each other until the people. COM
passionate for the fallen. turned their
thumbs up as an appeal tIat the van
uulshed be spared. and sometimes the
combat WAS with wild beasts.
All Have Lions to Fight.
To one Of the Roman amphitheatrical
audiences of 100000 people Paul refers
when he says. I'VE are compassed
about with so great cloud of witness
es." The direct reference In the last
passage is made to Il race: but else
where having discussed that. l take
now Pauls favorite idea Of the Chris
tian life aS combat.
The fact Is that every Christian man
has lion to fight. Yours Is bad tenn
per. The gates Of the arena have been
opened. and this tiger has come out to
destroy your soul 1t has lacerated
you with many wound. You have
been thrown by ii time and again. but
I'm the strength of God you have arisen
TO drive 1t back. verify believe you
will conquer. think that the tempta-
ton Is getting weaker and weaker.
You have given 1t so many wounds that
the prospect is that it will die. and you
shall be victor through Christ. Cour-
age. brother, Do not let the sands OF
the arena drink the blood Of your soul
Your lion Is the passion for strong
drink. You may have contended
against it for twenty years: but 1t Is
strong Of body and thirsty Of tongue
You have tried to fight 1t back with
broken bottle or empty wine flask
Nay. that is not the weapon. With one
horrible roar he will seize thee by the
throat and rend thee limb from limb
| Take this weapon. sharp and keen
reach up and get it from Gods armory
the sword Of the Spirit. With that
, thou mayest drive him back and con
quer.
But why specify when every mar
and woman has lion to fight? II
there be one here who has no besettinf
sin. let him speak out for him have
offended. II you have not fought thu
lion. it is because you have LET the lioT
eat you up. This very moment the con
test goes oD The Trajan celebration
where 10000 gladiators fought anC
II. 900 wild beasts were slain, was no
so terrific struggle as that which
this moment goes on in many a soul
The combat was for the life OF th'
body: this is for the life of the soul
That was with wild beasts from th'
Jungle: this Is with the roaring lion o