The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-01

the b,IfxIe summons us to go forth and fight against the enemies that would destroy. body and mind and heart and soul And sec the faithful soldier go- ing on from victory to victory, with fresh hopes. new power. brighter vis- ions.
 what a splendid day that was, long ago. when. after the hard, cruel, bitter years of slavery in the land of Egypt and when, after the night of darkness and pursuit, and fear !, and tempest tossed seas, the people of God awoke on a new soil and there scattered, strawn on the white sands of the shores of the Red Sea, were the upturned faces of their dead enemies. Those lips had cursed them, those hands had beaten them. But it was ended now; the Egyptians lay dead before them; and whatever else the future had in store. these enemies were done with for ever and the land of Egypt left behind. and Moses called upon the people to offer m sacrIilces--thanksgiv to God and to set up a memorial to mark the deliverance from. the land of the Egyp- tians and with fresh hopes and re- newed power and faith. they turned im- mediateIy to the pilgrimage before them.
 What a true picture that gives us of
  Lentl How the world would see and feel the upward movement, the uplift- ing in the lives of men; how earnestly and how bravely and how intently would we look forward to this time of discipline and conquest over our own sins and most real enemies!
 How glad and how bright would Easter day be for us all. if, on that morning, we might. after forty days of z4 Galf-diaHtnI1na al could awaken to find our feet treading on new soil and could look into the dead faces of our own enemies--our deepest sins-and know that we had done with them for ever; and that we were free to go into the future with one foe less; and with the strength of one battle more throbbing in our veins and burning in our hearts!
 When we turn to take up the strug- gle that is before us, we scarcely know where to begin, but let us take heed that we fight not as one that beateth the air. Simply the vague desire to do better and to grow deeper in Gods love is utterly insufficient. Ten thous- and foes press on from every side. The work of our Lent must De clear anu definite We must begin, If we have not begun, with specific things, and single out one enemy from among the
  against him, and when the days of this Lent are numbered with the past. be sure that your enemy, however insigni- ficant he may appear. be sure that ne is dead, and not merely sieeping-not merely kept in check for forty days to break out with renewed violence and strength after the forty days are over., However little you undertake. let it be real, let it become a part of your life; let it permeate and rule all the days of your years1 and leave be- hind forever this Easter day some sin. some seIf-wiil, some unkindness, and take with you to arm you for the com ing struggles that power and character which you have won.
 Let me close with the words or tne catechism: My God-child, know this that thou art not able to do these things of myself, nor to walk In the comands of God, and to serve Him without his special grace wnieh thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer"