The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1903-10-02
Copyright, 1908. by NJ. Edison.

comes weary in the we'll doing, and
fails to come to the time of reaping the
fruits of the Spirit
Z ENTHUSIASM of Beginnings.-It is
l. easy to make the start. Enthus-
iasm marks the beginning. 1t is COM
paratively an easy undertaking to
arouse enthusiasm; 1t is not hard to
take the outer defenses of the enemy
by the sudden assault, but it is quite an
other matter to hold the forces together
and maintain the slow siege until the
stronghold is captured and victory's
banner is unfurled. Moses quickly
aroused the enthusiasm of the children
Of Israel over the proposed colonization
of the promised land, but 1t was the
trying task of years to lead them
through the wilderness and bring them
to the plains of Moab, opposite to Jeri-
cho, the place of entering. Joshua had
no difficulty in rallying all the people
to the daily march around Jericho, but
it was constant struggle after the peo-
pie were fairly settled in the land to
stir them TO the further conquest of
the heather nations still remaining.
When the Midianites threatened the
land and the oppressed people found a
leader in Gideon, their enthusiasm
brought together an army of $4,000
men, but only 300 were left when the
battle cry of THE sword of the Lord
and of Gideon" was raised. Many enter
the race, but few finish the course. 1t is
easy to begin, but it tests muscles, and
lungs, and will power to cover the speed
way, and score at the end. Enthusiasm
thrills the many, and brings them to-
gether at the beginning of movement
or enterprise, but endurance measures
the quality of that enthusiasm, and de-
termines the kind and degree of fruit
age. Enthusiasm is the spark which
explodes the gunpowder, but endurance
is the force which determines whether
the cannon ball will hit the mark or fall
ineffectively and harmlessly short of
the point aimed for. Enthusiasm
sparks and CLOVIS, but unless endurance
fans and feeds the fire, it soon becomes
a cold, dead ember, without influence
or power.
w ELL Doing.-Endurance in well
w doing. Well doing implies right
start and a steadfast course. Well do
ing is progressive The farmer sows
his field to-day, that is we'll doing. 1t
is the right start. But tomorrow it is
not the seeder again which he should
run through the field, but the cultivator.
The seed has been sown, now must fol-
low the cultivation, the watching, the
protecting. the patient waiting The
farmer cannot sow good seed in his field
to-day, let the weeds grow there to-
morrow and the next day reap the
golden grain. And yet that is exactly
what many a Christian is trying to do.
Good seed is sown in the life to-day, but
tomorrow the weeds of carelessness, of
Indifference, of sinful indulgence are al
lowed to grow, and in the time when
harvest should be filled with the Joy of
reaping there is sad disappointment, and
failure. Instead of wheat there is
harvest of tares. This is not we'll doing.
Well doing does not find it's full ex-
preston in beginnings. Each day we'll
doing brings its new responsibilities and
duties. You may not settle back and
take your ease to-day, because yesterday
the well done was written over the day.
Some people try to crowd all their we'll
doing in on Sunday, and expect the other
days of the week are to go in the strength
Of that one day of service. Some Chris
tians are Jealous in the we'll doing in
church and prayer meeting, and Sunday
school, but utterly forget obligation In
well doing in the home and in business
and on the street. Let us not be weary
in we'll doing, for WEAKNESS marks the
departure from right to wrong paths.
Eyes! He knows the way is dreary.
Knows the weakness of our frame
Knows the hand and heart are weary:
He, in all points, felt the same.
He is near to help and bless;
Be not weary, onward press.
Look to Him, Who once was willing
All His glory to resign
That, for thee the law fulfilling
All His merit might be thine
Strive to follow day by day
Where His footsteps mark the way.
Look to Him, the Lord of Glory,
Tasting death to win thy life;
Gazing on that wondrous story
Canst thou falter in the strife?
Is it not new life to know
That the Lord hath loved thee so?
Look to Him Who ever liveth,
Interceding for His own:
Seek, yea, claim the grace He gfveth
Freely from His priestly throne
VIII He not thy strength renew
With His Spirits quickening dew?
Look to Him and faith shall brighten,
Hope shall soar, and love shall burn:
Peace once more thy heart shall tighten:
Rise! He calleth thee, return!
Be not weary on thy way,
Jesus is thy strength and stay