The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-07
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
How the Weak Become Strong-H
Cor. xii, 9-IO; lisa. xii, 10; lviii, IL.

Yonder lies a cannon ball. dull. heavy inert.
Near il is a cannon, vast mass Of sullen metal
See here pile of powder black. slothful. use
less. Put the three together. and they possess
no power they had not before.
But add a fourth. fash of fire.
Then there is crashing burst of sound. the
dead metal leaps to terrible life IL becomes a
giants arm. playing ball with cities. forts and
armies. an instrument Of awful death. the ar
bitter Of an empires fate
II the cannon had not been heavy and cold.
if it had been log of WOOD brilliantly blazing
if the cannon ball had not been useless and
clumsy. if IL had been a toy balloon. soaring
brightly upward If the powder had not been
black and sullen. but had been disposed in the
coils of some piece OF snowy fireworks there
would have been power and no Accomplish
ment
Something like this Paul meant when he said.
when am weak. then am strong"
Men are Just beginning TO learn the power Of
God. In olden days swift runners bore mems
messages at fearful cost Of energy and strength
Ben Franklin's relays wonders OF rapid
postal service in their day. Morse dug his myriad
holes. erected his myriad poles. stretched his
leagues Of copper wire. Cyrus Field weighted a
ship with coils Of cable and laid line OF metal
across the Atlantic.s But Marconi nnds that he
need only whisper to the ether, and God repeats
the whisper round the world-and 10 the tarthest
star.
The less reliance we place in human make
shifts the more direct and immediate our de-
pendence upon Goo. the more absolute our sur
render. the more superb is the result
Your failures have been the fruit Of vour
pride, your self-wined obstinacy yoqr conceit
your selhshness. They have come because YOU
did not trust God. and your fellow-men ana the
world
No one can be strong who is the slave Of sin.
but all men can be free from sin as they WELD
in absolute surrender to Christ's Will
No one can be strong who Is cherries but ali
men can be peaceful AMI happy who have sub
mitted their lives Christ's control oh tbA
restfulness OF leaning on the everlasting arms,
This is the paradox OF Christianity. thar mower
lies in the realization Of powerlessness. 1t seems
an absurdity. till tests 1t. then It IA proved
10 be the sum Of truth.
And the strength thus gained is not for Annt,
feeling. ghostly unreslties. but for solid. daily
living Power 70 earn dollars. Power 10 rno,,A
Power to build houses. 10 sell goods N
edit papers. to cook bread.
Sing. all hearts. with Marianne birmingham.
1t is no dream Great Comforter.
But very truth TO me.
That all earth's strengthless. faintine ones
May be made strong in Thee.
The years have taught me many things,
But none so sure this.
That shelter solace. Joy and strength
Are always where God is,
So now when hope and courage fail
And only fear is strong.
Nv heart will sing. In the past
An unforgotten song.
God is my refuge and my strength
will not be afraid
And though the night be wild and dark.
meet IL undismayed.
The strength 70 bear, or work or wait
Il Thine. God. to give.
And who shall weak and strengthless be
That learns in Thee 10 live7
AMOS r. WELLS.