The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-20

frcm which there was no appeal. II Isra-si
ell dared to rebel. he could bring forces
to bear on the rising that must coon for
ever crush It. He was all powerful; they
were weak. He was on the throne: they
were under his feet-and Pharaoh's feet
were heavy.
The spiritual conditions OF mankind In
sin are precisely tlle same. The enemy
OF man is powerful. When he is de-
scribed by earthly figures. these figures
in themselves are terrible He is roar
ing lion, going about seeking whom he
may devour; he is the prince OF this
world !. he is the prince of the power Of
the air. His hand is heavy and cruel;
we are powerless to %elude or break II
He is subtle; he come to us in thous-
and ways we would never suspect. In the
sweet strains of music; in the beauty OF
pictures: on the CROWDED highway: in the
moment Of solitude; in the meetings with
friends; in business. in pleasure; he is
found ever ready and waiting to destroy.
The man who has lived deeply and who
a daily increasing power over him. The
habit which to-day we can stop at will
in a few weeks becomes SO strong as to
meek all our strength.
The young man says that he knows
when to turn back. He may be perfectly
sincere In so saying, but is his power
equal to his information? His purpose is
good but the footprints which he made
on the road a short time ago are quickly
obtterated, and he cannot tell which is
east west, north or south. He has lost
his bearings, and finds himself, too late,
prisoner, hopelessly bound.
BY a strong and mighty deltverance
Israel was brought out Of Egypt. They
had marched away with such glad free
dom and gone down the road Of promise
so far that they thought all peril past
ana naught but happiness and liberty lay
ahead. They turned to look back. and,
behold, the Egyptians marched after
them The breath Of the destroyer was
hot upon their necks.
This is also true of the redeemed man
in a spiritual sense. Here is a man who
y
There is enc watching him at a little dis
lance, expecting that ne will instantly
step out of Egypt into Canaan. and be-.
cause the man is weak and worn and less
than half himself, some cruel word is
used when he stumbles or falls. Is that
right? Is that decent? Look at the mans
conditions, as typihed by the text. He
W. lax
expect him to stand as erect as il he had
been man for half a century?
Suppose at the age Of forty you have
been saved from your sin and that in the
name and strength of God you have
pledged yourself to follow only Him.
Your forty years history is behind you
forty years of moral exhaustion. forty
you cannot step from Egypt into heaven
you will find some who will mock, saying:
us this your piety? Is this your Chris
Tiarity?" The mocker is never wanting
watching and taunting with cruel words
those who would live well, holding their
wcrn faces and streaming eyes towards
the light Of God.
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from the depth of sin to the attainment
Of grace. There will be many a struggle. |
many temperance Of your old self,
to frighten and depress you. 1t is so with
all; yet fear not.
Sometimes we are SO happy, SO full |
Of glad expectancy, softened and chas- |
tened by the most ha1Iowed influences;
eli OH n ga in
into the old Egypt, where our condemna-
ton was written in the dirt and the air |
filed with the voice OF our torment.
Be gentle with yourself and with each |
other. The enemy will not let us go SO
easily. Even in the chamber Of death |
the powers of darkness fight anew the
battle 1t is not unit! the gate of heaven
is shut upon the redeemed man that the
devil gives up the pursuit
Eut the Redeemer of Israel was all pow
eriul and gracious. Israel was weak, and
as for weapons of war. what had they?
There they were. and Egypt's might, in
he. pride and cruel in her wrath, was upon
their track Egypt never knew the mys
terv Of mercy. What was to be done? |
God was watching: and caring fer them.
The command is stand STILL The adap-
tation Of Gods message to our condition !
is SO perfect, so gracious, so sufficient.
When we are weak and cannot fight. He !
saws: .'Stand still and I will fight for
YOU, When we have our energies III all |
their completeness. He says: Rise, fght!'
Thus He meets us according to all our
needs.
Rest on this word: The Lord shall
fight for you, and ye shall hold your
peace
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Because of. the brevity of Governor