Milford chronicle., 1903-08-21

even seeming reverses may be trans
formed into triumphs. The text is
Joshua /, 5, "As l was with Moses,
so I will be with thee"
One of the greatest novels ever writ
ten. so considered by many of our best
critics. il Victor Hugo's masterpiece,
les MisMsbles." Amid all the art gal
lery of that treasured book the most
wonderful description is the word
painting by which the denunciator Of
Napoleon the Little" pictures the
downfall Of Napoleon the Great ut
the battle field of Waterloo. When this
great master of literature topples over
the French colossus, the earth trem-
bles and the dead centuries come forth
out of their musty tombs and look on
in perpetual wonderment.
In that marvellous recital you can
hear the booming of the artillery's
gums and the crack of the infantry's
muskets and the groans Of the dying
and the cheers of the charging cav
airy. and the tramp Of the British lines
forming themselves into the unbreaka-
bic squares against which the Old
Guard flung itself in vain. In
II YOU can see the flushed cheeks and
the flashing eyes of n conquering host
and the pale, wan, haggard faces Of a
flying mob.
Yet after all in reading the thrilling
story | am impressed not SO much by
what happened as what did not hap
pen. For many hours the eagle of vic
tory seemed undecided upon which
standard to alight. She fluttercd this
way and that. as though awaiting some
ones expected advent to help her to
decide. Napoleon himself was waiting,
anxiously waiting. for the same helper
Every little while he would take his
field glass and sean the surrounding
hills and valleys Every little while he
would turn to his staff officers and say:
"Do YOU see him? Have you heard
any news from Grouchy? We must
have re-enforcements or we are lost
In the meantime over the hills march
ed Marshal Blucher with his German
re-enforcements. That was the de-
cisive event. Victory hesitatcd no
longer She few to the standard Of
Wellington and pcrched there. The
Napoleonic star set in gloom to rise no
more in this world. It was the lack Of
re-enforcemonts at a critical moment
which destroyed the French army. 1t
is the lack of divine re-cnforcements
which may destroy us in the battle Of
life.
81 VIII BE With Thee" said the Lord.
The text tells Us Of another general
who also needed re-enforcaments. To
Josbua was committed the task Of con
uuering a country held by warike pee
ple. To him mt the supreme moment
comes the assurance of the Lord OF
Hosts. Il viii be with thee" Now, my
friends. the same kind of divine re-en
forcement which came to Joshua WheI
he took command of the Israeltisl
forces may also be given TO us. WheT
God gave to him his commission he said
Joshua. if you will be true TO me anc
ffrbt under my standard | viii be will
thee. rs l was with thy predecessors
That divine succor which Cod gave tl
Joshua he gave to our Christian ia
tbers. that divine help he will give t,
MS if we will trust him and believe o.
him and live for him. Therefore
would inspire every Christian t.
praycrfully 90 forth and 90 what Coo
wants him to do l would inspire al
Christians to live and work with ;
brave heart. because the results Of on
future conflicts are as sure as God
promises are sure.
First, God will be with the Christia'
T-5rkers Of this present generation. W
ii nnder his glorious banner. Davh
3.al proved it by experience when h
wrJ,. "Thcu hast given a banner Z
them lat fear thee, that it may b
6isplayed because Of the truth" Unde
that banner the church Of God has wo
victories in all ages. Solomon saw
on its march and pronounced it. "terr
BILE as an army with banners He say
fl later. triumDhant over all evil, entci
fng ike a bride into the home Of
bridegroom and her lord leading be
into the banquet hall and placing oye
her the banner of love.
Now. a banner is not merely pieC
of rag or a 1nring bit Of fiutterin
hunting or a dress parade endazzl
snent. The banner Of God is a flag or
standard. 1t is the symbol of superni
authority. Whoever therefore strike
at Gods banners strikes at the diyil
heart. Wien. some years ago, a
American citizen was arrested by Il
SDapish authorities in Cuba and SCI
fenced to die, the American consul {
first protested in vain. But on the ds
SGT for the execution the Cuban a
thorit.es dared not shoot because tn
consL trapped an American dag abo
the coademncd man, saying. He
an American citizen. Now shoot hi
through the folds Of that hag if "
darew Today. in symbol. God wra
about every Christian worker his ba
ner. 1t is the symbol Of protection.
is the symbol Of omnipotence. 1t is &
symbol Of the atoncment. 1t is t
.s,.,,,i,,l az ivine forgiveness. Ii is 4