The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-15
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.


One day. after Wendell Phillips then IN his
youth, had heard Lyman Beecher preach. he
went TO his room, threw himself on the floor,
and cried "oh. God. I belong to Theei Take
what is Thine own ask this, that whenever
a thing be wrong II may have no power OF
temptation over me. and whenever a thing be
right IT may take no courage 10 do it." His
prayer was heard. and in the strength Of II he
conquered without struggle ali the tempta-
lions OF wealth and popularity, and became
the Occur de Lion OF American reforms. His
experience illustrates secret OF the
terry OF temptation: Dedicate yourself, in ali
sincerity and completeness. to the service Of
God.
second rule, following hard on the first,
is this: Keep your mind fixed Christ. who.
having met all our temptations, can alone save
us from them man asked an Eastern King
how to avoid temptation. The King sternly
commanded him 10 carry through the city a
vessel brimful OF oil. Two swordsmen walked
behind, ready to cut of his head IL he spilled
a drop. The streets were crowded as be passed
through, for a great fair in progress. but
when the returned to the King, not having
spilled a drop Of oil, and the King asked him
If he had seen any one in the course OF his
walk. the replied that he had seen no
one his mind was so intent on his hazardous
task. Thus" said the wise King. keep your
mind intent on God and you VIII receive no
temptation"
The third rule is. If you do meet tempta-
tion resist il with bold and fierce decision.
Initiate that Mississippi steamers captain dur
ing the American civil war. who was under
strict orders 70 carry cotton At a. certain
landing a planter came on board and offered
him $4,000 If he would take his cotton 20 New
Orleans. The planter was refused. and raised
his offer to $4,000. then $4,000 and so on.
till he reached the sum OF $40. 90. At this the
captain hereely pointed revolver al the
tempters head shouting Get OF this boat
Instantly You're getting too close to me-
We must surround ourselves with All exterior
aids toward this conquest OF temptation. hiIing
our lives with wise reading. strong friendships
and hard work Thackeray applied this princl-
pie once When given engraving OF "st.
George and the Dragon" ne declared that ne
would place 1t at the head OF his bed. where IL
would remind him constantly OF the two dragons
ne had 10 fight Incidence and luxury.
Finally We must not be satisfied with pray
ing. Lead Us not into temptation. we must
keep out OF IL ourselves Mary Higeinson bas
written a fine sonnet, whose lesson Is Tor al
OF US since who Is not struggling against some
evil tendency:
we wondered why he always turned aside
When mirth and gladness hlled the trimming
Who else 50 Mt as he for pleasures waysg
Men thought him frozen hy selfish pride.
But that his voice music none denied
or that his smile was Ike the suns warm
rays
one day upon the sands he spoke In praise
- swimmers who we're buheting the tide
The swelling waves N nfe they dare a. meet
/ may not plunge where others safely 20
Unbidden longinss IN my pulses beat
Tb Sn9 ye anq ro Sn9gE ,b i %era You te know
Surges and tugs the dreaded undortow
AMOS r. WELLS.