Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-01
Tom the confidence that God gives when
we are following His commands strictly.
Applied Truth.

from the confidence that God gives wher
We are 1oaiowang His commands strictly.
Applied Truth.
Mothers prayers and singing always
made her children glad. In the wild
thunderstorns Of that new west, I was
wont to hide my face upon her knee and
say. Sing Rock of Ages Somehow was
never afraid while mothers soul was lifted
up to God.''-(Frances Willard.)
Said Frances Xavier: eff these islands
(of the Pacific had scented woods and
mines of gold, Christians would have cour-
peris of the world prevent them They are
dastardly and alarmed because there are
only souls Of men to be gained. And shall
love be less hardy and less generous than
avariceT'
In the year 403. in celebration of a vic
tory, all Rome gathered together to witness
chariot races and races on foot, and horse
back, with various other contests. After a
sword dance came gladiatorial contest.
The people, delighted, applauded in ecstasy.
But suddenly into the midst of the arena
there sprang rough-looking man, bare
ing back the gladiators and calling to the
people to stop this shedding of innocent
blood and not to reQuite Gods mercy in
turning away the enemy's sword by en-
couraging murder. But the people were
enraged at having their games spoiled and
called aloud, Back, old man! On, gladia-
tors!' And the gladiators thrust him aside
and went to the attack. But the old man
still stood his ground, trying in vain to be
heard through the din Of the people shout
ing Down with him." Then the gladiators
cut him down, and the people, Selling what
ever they could find, stones and weapons
rained upon him until he lay dead in the
midst Of the arena.
Then suddenly the people knew what they
had done. His dress showed them he was
one of the holy men who had vowed them
selves to a life of prayer1and self-denial.
Such men were reverenced even by careless
people. They knew he must have come to
Rome to visit the shrines and keep his
Christmas, and now he had had the courage
to come into the midst of the excited as
semblage and stop their wickedness, though
he must have known it would be his own
death. But it was not in vain. The people
were suddenly brought face to face with
their wickedness, and from lie day the
hermit died in the Colosseum 1t Is said
there was never another fight of gladiators,
and not merely at Rome, but In every prov
ince of the empire the custom was wiped
out. Is 1t not possible that II we had
few more strong, courageous men, such as
we have in some cities, who were willing
to rush into the great arena OF the world
where men are killing one another by vari-
GUS methods-some by liquor, some by
drugs, some by other vices-and speak out
with a cry that must be heard, and even
stand by in the face OF death. might ,us NOT
from the earth?
I'VE sometimes lay down the story book
or history with a groan. We have been
reading Of some sudden opportunity which
came to a Grace Darling, reared IN the op-
security Of a fishermans home, or to
Florence Nightingale or John Brown, liv-
the Adirondacks Oh we say, If only
such a chance would dip down into my life
and lift me out Of it! I'm weary, weary OF
this dull level
that the occasion makes the hero, whereas
1t only reveals him. The train must have
been laid long before, and carefully, else
the falling of a single spark would never
blast the mighty rocks or shiver the frown-
ing fortress walls. There must be the fab
ric of strong and noble character, built up
by patient continuance in welldoing, else
the sudden appeal of the critical hour Will
knock vainly at the door OF life, and the
soul will crouch unanswering and helpless
within. If great opportunities were to
come to most we could make nothing of
them. They would pass by us unnoticed or
those who had more nerve. or grit, or spir-
itual power than we. You cannot just De-
cause you will. speak a foreign language,
or dash Off a brilliant air upon the piano.
or talk easily on the motive OF one OF
poems. All these demand long
and arduous study. That must be given
first in the chamber: and then, II sud
den summons comes for any of them, on
the housetop Of observation, you will be
ready. You cannot be brave In crisis II
you are habitually a coward. You cannot
be generous with a fortune II you are a
miser with a limited income. You cannot
be unselfsh In some such accident which
imperils life If you are always pressing
for the one vacant seat In train or omni-
bus, and elbowing your way to the front on
every possible occasion. David must prac-
,~h 10v,
hours in the wilderness or he will never
bring down Goliath. Joseph must be pure
In thought and strong In private self-disci-
pline, or he will never resist the solicita-
teacher must be regular, painstaking, faith
full in the conduct Of his class of little
ragged boys, or he will never be promoted
to serve his Master as a minister at home
Or as missionary abroad" IF. B. Meyer.
How to Help the Leader.
Tell how during the reign Of Bloody Mary
Of England an officer WAS sent to bring
Bishop Latimer to appear before her. When
the officer arrived he said: my friend. you
are welcome. I go as willingly to London,
to give an account Of my faith, as ever 1
went to any place in the world. And
doubt not, but as the Lord made me worthy
to preach the Word before two ex-
cellent princes, He will now enable me to
bear witness 10 the truth DelOTe the tHiius
either to her eternal comfort or discom-
fort"
PARALLEL PASSAGES.-Dueterono
xxxi:7, 8; Joshua, x:25; Psalms, xxvii:14;
Joshua, III; Judges, wills; Thessalonians,
liza, 5; Daniel, iii:17, IS; Ezekiel, ii:6.
HINTS TO THE LEADER.-The En-
deayor Hymnal-1O9 1872 lao, 217, 219.
Let your talk be along the line OF the
kind Of courage that is needed in daily
life-the courage that will face a laugh
rather than break the Sabbath or listen to
vulgar story; the courage that will go to
church in the old bonnet and last years
coat rather than miss the assembling OF
yourselves together" the courage that will
dare to be on the unpopular side-sweetly
and graciously. but decidedly. If that is
the right side; the courage that Will dare
to speak a simple prayer in the meeting in.
stead of an elaborate one-to encourage
some timid brother or sister. etc. Have
some one speak word of courage In con-
nection with the great work of temperance
and other reforms. Pray for courage: Have
some one sing Dare to Be Daniel and
windows Open Toward jerusalem" as
solos or duets.
Did you tackle the trouble that came your way
With q resolute heart and cheerful?