Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-05-28
TIGHTEN THE BUCKLES.
BY Rev. Theodore l.. CuyIer. d. d.


1t is related that cavalry officer, with
4 small number Of followers. was pur-
sued by an enemy who were in large
force. He discovered that his saddle
girth was becoming loose; his comrades
We're urging him on to greater speed;
but h dismounted. frightened the loose
buckle, and then rode on, amid the shouts
of his companions. The broken buckle
would have cost him his safety-perhaps
his Ii e. His wise delay insured his safe
ty, and sent him out of the reach OF his
pursuing enemies.
This incident suggests several spiritual
lessons. A very obvious one is that the
Christian who is in such haste to rush
off 10 his business in the morning that
he does not spare any time for his Bible
or for prayer, is quite likely to ride
for a fall" before shutdown. One of the
most eminent Christian merchants of New
York told me that he never met his fam
lily at the breakfast table until he had
had refreshing interview with his God
over his Bible and on his knees His
family worship afterwards was not only
a tightening the buckle himself. but was
a gracious means of safety to his house
hold. One of the greatest dangers in
these days is that too many children are
growing up-eSen in nominally Christian
families-with sadly lax sentiments in
many vital directions. They have loose
views about Gods day and Gods Book,
and very loose practices as to attendance
upon Gods worship. They start out in
life with a broken buckle, and when the
stress of temptation comes, they are
easily thrown to the ground. Fathers
and mothers owe TO their children as well
as to themselves the duty of Tightening
the saddle girth.
Not only do many families suffer from
laxity in parental government, and godly
parental training. but | fear that some
congregations suffer from laxity in the
teachings of their ministers. No church
is very likely to rise higher than its own
pulpit If the shepherd of the flock holds
loose doctrines: if he is so liberal that
he gives away, or throws away, vital
truths: If he lets down too many bars
that the Bible wisely puts up. then it is
no wonder that the flock wanders off into
the ways of worldliness. There is no
danger in these days of excessive strict
ness. or of 'pnritanicaP' principles or
practices The danger is just from the
opposite direction. Would it not be a
wise thing if some pastors, who see that
their churches are being avertaken and
demoralized by worldly temptations,
should call a halt. and tighten their
buckles?
The incident at the head of This brief
article has very close application to the
maintenance Of vigorous, happy and
useful Christian life. The very word re
ligiou'' IS derived from a Latin word that
signifies ito bind fast" True religion
means the being bound fast to the Lord
Jesus Christ in constant dependence on
him and obedience to him. 1t is the
very opposite of loose thinking and loose
living. How to keep up a healthy spir-
itual life is the daily problem with every
Christian. The parable of the buckle
gives hint True piety is never self
sustaining. We only can do all things
through Christ that straightforward US"
Without him nothing with him every
thing. Therefore it is that our Bible
exhorts us with prodigious emphasis to
pray without ceasing." When we re-
lax in this vitally important duty. the
enemies will soon oyertake us, and over
match us. and leave us in the dust. Breth-
rem and sisters, tighten the prayer
buckle