The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-10
STORY OF GIDEoN'S BAND
CHEERS ALL CHRISTIANS.
The Reverend G. H. Murch Says That
Gcd Now Has His Ways of Testing
His Followers.

The Reverend G. H. Murch preached yes
terday morning at the Euclid Avenue Bap-
fist Church on Preparation for Service as
Illustrated by Gideons Band HIS text
VA MAS thr and , Inc LORD said unto Gideon BY
The Lord had called Gideon to lead an
army against the Midianites This enemy
seven years. For Israel these years had lad
agement.
1T was time of confusion and disorder
In israel. Many had sought safety in the
Wilderness, making their homes in the caves
and the more inaccessible part Of the hills.
they sowed any grain, and even then
INDIAN often reaped the harvest. But
when they turned again unto the Lord. he
An army OF thirty-two thousand men re-
sponded to G!deon's call. From this num-
Der God selects three hundred les: Israel
day. Ten thousand tinid and fearful had
been permitted to- retire. When these saw
their comparatively samll army reduced to
still smaller number until only three
hundred remain for battle. all their hope
OF victory fed They forgot to count God
vision such as was granted unto the servant
Of the Prophet Elisha who was troubled
because. the enemy encompassed the city.
eyes Of the young man; and behold. the
mountain was full OF horses and cnariots
of FIRE about Elisha
so we realize that effective work for
God is never conditioned or limited by !tu-
man power or resources. One man with
all his strength consecra,ed 10 God can do
great things for his Master The balance OF
power usually seems on the side OF the
forces of unrighteousness israel was weak
as compared with Midisn. 1t has ever been
people are found in q minority The fight
against the forces of evil seems UNEQUAL.
Wherever you find evil, you find 1t watch
But although our force is weak the battle
Is the Lords. If we are in earnest we shall
meet activity With greater activity. To or
Ever watchful. with God for us. cur efforts
will be rewarded with victory
AS individuals we often feel our inability
to do effective work for God we feel
hindered because our mental and phvsjeal
powers are not as great as those of some
others. Perhaps health is denied us and
we feel that God has curtaled our useful
ness. Let us remember that some Of cur
sweetest music comes from the lirs Of those
upon beds OF affiiction. Robert Hail was
a power FOR God in his generation i,u. Liz,
racked with pain
God needed men that day to fight. but
Tho remainder God could not use a when
God desired TO test them he told Gideon to
take them down to the brook. OF the ten
Thousand: nine thousand seven Hundred for
got duty in the qualification Of dasire. They
unbuckied their armor and In the nresence
OF watchful foe drcpped upon the knee
to drink The test was not arbitrary onl.
three hundred kept their eyes upon the foe
vice: He cant use great many Of his
children because they are unprenered or
equal talent with others. they are useless
In his cause. They have not trained or
developed the gifts with which God had
blessed them. nav
The time of Gods testirr now as then
IS unknown. TIE Tapping from the hand
revealed the watchful soldier II il when
We are or our gvard that our real nntnres
we shall be able TO stand his tests 70 which
he Is CONSTANTLY subiecting us Happy shall
We be II our hearts are found prepared .fo-
effective service - p'~ - ~