The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-22
"Spiritual Fortresses.'

8fsclected for The -Dispatch)
."The Castle OF Tylou. '-Chron., xi:5.
Every. Christian dwells in the Castle
OF Tyion." He2need not wander In q
wilderness. or In uncertain places, or
under a temporary cloud, but dwells In
a stronghold, fortress OF his God.
Men for their own comfort and useful
ness should often rehearse the strong
points and the wslltproven' statements OF
the Christian hope.
L 1t is possible for a4man to have dis
tinct conviction Of the existence and gov
eminent Of God, and yet be quite unable
to give any metaphysical explanation of
the nature OF the Godhead. BE very
careful about making minute distinctions
here. A child may be absolutely sure
that such man Is his father, and yet
be wholly unable to give any account
teres which constitute the mental or
spiritual nature Of his father.
A man may be perfectly sure that the
earth will do certain things in relation
to growth and production, and may, in
fact, operate upon that faith, without
having the slightest instruction in geol-
ogy or chemistry. So 1t is possible to
believe in God, to love God. to obey God,
and to wait patiently for God, without
being either theologian or metaphy-
sician.
man must work. therefore, according
to his capacity and powers, and this also
applies to the true uses OF the bible
Not every man can have a complete and
distinct theory Of inspiration, and also
be able to defend that theory by learned
evidences. But 1t is possible for all men
to know that the Bible contains the word
and will of Cod and there seek for that
word and will to obey It.
Some parts of the Bible are as strong
by eternal hands. Other parts will be
found full of mystery and wholly beyond
the power of man toSexplain. But true
wisdom will consis. In keeping within
these castclatcd parts Of the Bible. Here
the humble Christian will store his mind
with It's moral principles and spiritual
cxhortations, as well as with the exceed
ling great and precious promises.
The same law holds good also with re-
gard to the acceptance Of any doctrine
| respecting Christ. No one Of any au-
| thority in Christian literature has ever
successfully disputed the historical en-
istcnce Of the man Christ Jesus. Here Is
! n strong point to begin with. IT having
: been certified that such a man as Jesus
Christ really lived, the next inquiry
would naturally relate to His spirit pur-
pose and doctrines. From these facts
| will arise the noble edihce OF the chnrnc-
ter or Jesus Christ, His patience, COM
passion, love, philanthropy. His evident
desire to do them good, His practical
service in battling with the Ignorance
weakness and suffering OF the people
I. round about Him.
! SO far all is strong. impregnable, ever
lasting.
/ Again, outside Of all specifically reli'
] gous mysteries, there stands the grea'
castle" of an evident Prevalence II
human life. Here there ought 70 be nc
i mistake or uncertainty OF mind.
Look back upon all history, and alto
gether apart from the Bible. and see how
/ ii has shaped itself. Kingdoms hays
risen, hourishcd, decayed; civilization ha:
marched along certain directions beyond
all control, Frightening some places for {
time. and then DESERVING them, pssslns
to other regions making new disclosures
and advances. abandoning them also. ant
then neeins beyond the sea, like an IN