Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-04-20
ll5Tflz{ \ POPULAR
lfaHR8 PULPIT |

tation. A resolute mind knows not to
beat 4 retreat. 1t is fearless, because
it takes refuge behind bulwark of
its own construction. The Christian
mind has a stronger fertilization uian
the resolute soul without Christ for
there is added to its determination
Gods protection. The man determined
on nothing, who waits TO see the drift
OF the current before he acts, will do
nothing of worth and may we'll be es-
teemed as nothing. Sin always finds
its easiest victims IN the irresolute and
vacillating A King Saul or Judas
falls easily into thu hands of the temp
ter. but not so p lp1niel or the Bard
of Israel who sang My heart is fixed"
The suggestions of wrong are at once
rejected by the fixed heart" They
are lost sight of in holier things In
such mind there is a spirit OF hatred
IA cherished antipathy to the wrong
and before the temptation has time
to lead off the unsuspccting without
any hesitation the soul of determined
integrity" bids Ihe tempter depart.
In the heart of this odd Saint" there
was an established law to cleave to the
right at all hazard, and his very ma
ture was so filed with thoughts of God
and the truth that his mind became
very sensitive to the appearance of
any evil; and the very presence of the
wrong becomes a watchWord to the
powers of the soul to arise in their
strength and cast out the usurper. But
some are so willing to prove the spir-
its" That thpy are polite even TO the
deN il. The power to say mo" is
wonderful achievement. There is moth
ing so weakening to the Christian life
as va "illation. 1t is so in all the work
Of life. The man who succeeds is the
man WHO says: This one thing i do"
Resolution will brace the mind mp
to its conscious duty. and assist it in
forming its judgments o. matters be-
fore he temptation to the wrong pre-
sents itself. To such q mind some
things are settled. and settled for all
time. 1t does not wait for a careful
study of the temptation. Instantly its
reply is ready. Thus, while the waver-
ing and double-minded are being over
come by the tempter. the determined
man walks in his plain path of right,
fearless and safe
Many have false views of right and
wrong, and it is possible for one to
believe lie and be damned. but to the
man who, by observation and expert
ence, will weigh the worth of poLs liy-
ing, there will be no question as to
what we should or should rot do. To
some. personal integrity may have so
little worth that it is bartered for any
"gilded bait"
Nothing so subjects one to tempta
tons to the lowest and vilest forms of
evil as low estimate of personal rec
titude. The young man who humbly
declares that he has ''purposed in his
heart not to defile himself should Se
appreciated and receive more encour-
agement than many of them receive.
Not only the young. but the old.
quite as well need encouragement in
the determined life of integrity. 1t is
sad. nevertheless true that many men
break down in their moral life after 40.
| Therefore. every one should stand
strongly intrenched by determination
that knows no relenting. and thus
guard the soul from the "delusions of
the devil"
Then, with the highest estimate of
the worth of conscious integrity. the
man of faith in the ncyer-failing Lord
holds fast TO his possessions. and gains
thereby, besides the approval of his
own conscience. the approval of his
neighbors and his God In this devo-
ton to the principles of right Job sue
ceeis and becomes an example to the
tempted ones of all ages.
From the very depths of his suffer
| ing arises his holy resolutions Till /
die l win not remove my integrity" /
! have faith enough in God and men to
believe there are thousands of such
| resoute integrity to-day. Such a res
| olution will bring a peace of mind the
world cannot disturb, sweet and con-
| tinual consciousness of the approval of
God our heavenly Father. and there
! will be added to these the benefit of a
| constant growth in the divine life and
an increasing hope of the final reward
| to those who have been faithful to the
| end.