The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-08-14
EPWoRTH LEAGUE.
Topic For the Week Beginning Aug.
10, Endure Hardness a Good
sOldier's-Tcxt, III Tim. II, 8, 4.

Paul had become well acquainted
with soldiers and military life. From
the time he was rescued from the jew
ish mob in the temple at Jerusalem by
the Roman commander of the garrison
until the time of the writing of this his
last letter his companions night and
day had been Roman soldiers In
CRsarea he had been for two years
haRdcuffed to one of them On his voy
age to Rome, In the shipwreck and
after journey he was kept a prisoner
under close guard His residence In
Rome was part of the time In the camp
of the pretorian guard, and when he
was allowed to live in his own hired
house he was still, In all probability,
chained to soldier of that guard. SO
he had become very familiar with the
customs and manners of that class Of
men. Their vices and good qualities
We're known to him. He had largely
entered into their experiences and modes
of thought and feeling. 1t was nat
ural result that his speech and writings
should be colored by this life. His own
privations and sufferings would be
looked at by him as kind of military
necessity In the service of his sovereign
Jesus. He was prisoner of Christ He
endured all things for the sake of Jesus,
who had enrolled him as soldier He
was in active service and must take
his share in the sufferings and the
hardship common to all soldiers in such
service.
This view of Christian life has ever
been of great influence and Of much
value in shaping character Difficult
ties and trials come to nearly every
one. Very few have q course sheltered
from care and temptations. Adverse
circumstances must be met The way
In which they are treated very largely
determines the Individual character
and destiny. Many sensitive natures,
like Timothy, shrink from the rude
shocks and are inclined, as perhaps he
was, to avoid as much as possible the
disagreeable things To all such this
warming exhortation of the aged apoS
tie rings out like a bugle call: Suffer
uufOSulp Will LIE as Il BtO0 SoSoAGk VI
Christ Jesusv'
When so much is being said of the
strenuous life and athletics are so
popular this appeal for the develop
ment of Christian fortttude should
have special heed Is there not great
danger that carelessness will cause US
to fail both In duties to be done and In
the attainment of personal strength in
religious life2 The pressure and strife
to attain excellence and position in
business and professional life are unTe-
Taxing Competition is keen, rivalry
intense. The good things of the soul
life are not to be won less easily. Care
lessness let's opportunities slip unim-
proved. and once past they never re-
turn. T1midity courts defeat and wins
II, while courage captures victory.
At the present time we need as young
people more of the spirit In Christian
work with which we train for and con-
test tennis tournaments, golf cham
pionships, bah games and boat races.
On the "grfdiron" young fellow will
break leg, an arm, rib, and glory in
the pain If by his grit and skill he
makes q point for his team. Shall we
for greater gains and under the eye of
our great Captain shrink from eXer-
ton and suffering in this our Christian
race?