The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-06
Christian Victory.

8 (SeleCted Tor Inc EQNneS-DlsPdtClh}> 'tE
ITO him that overcometh will give
to eat OF the hidden mamma. and will
give him white stone, and In the stone
q new name written, which no man
knoweth saving he that rccetveth it.
Rev, il:17.
The Christian life is often pared
to warfare. Followers OF Jesus arc
''soldiers.'' They are exhorted to put
on ''the whole armor Of Cod and to
"Aght the, good fight OF faith" It will
not suffice merely to put on the armor
and commence. the battle. He that over
cometh,' and he alone, will BIO COM
mended. and shall lay hold upon eternal
life.
We are not left to fight slngle-handcd
and alone. AS generals go In front OF
their troops to stimulate them to valor,
SO Christ, the Captain OF our salvation,
leads on His host to the great final vic
tory N Y i8,
NJ AZ great war is going on between Christ
and the powers OF darkness. 1t Is not
merely an affair OF strategy between two
vast armies, wherein skllful rnAnoeuvers
determine the Issue. but every one OF
these soldiers must fight hand-to-hand
with the enemy. We cannot be lost in
the crowd; we may not stand IN the
middle OF the hollow square. Each Chris
tan has his own part in this great army,
and must personally grapple with the
foe.
Before conversion there was no Tight
ing. The DEVILS suggestions and the
hearts inclnations were allied. Then
we did the enemy's bidding without a
murmur But when light shone into the
soul, and we strove to escape the strug-
gle began. God, as our Creator and Re.
deemer Justly demands our obedience
and our love. Whatever interferes with
these claims Is our enemy.
Tho world of frivolty and pleasure
is our foe. with It's numerous and allurlng
temptations. Even lawful pleasures and
necessary cares become dangerous when
they cease to be subordinate to the love
OF God. The enjoyments He bestows ana
tho labors lie appoints are Intended to
minister to goodness, and yet they may
he and often are perverted by our use
OF them.
Tho flesh furnishes It's contingent to
the army OF our foes. The flesh, as God
made It, Is pure and holy. But these
instincts which, regulated by the re-
vealed will OF their Author, are holiness
10 the Lord may become, by unhallowed
qualification, "heshly lusts which war
O. o. f. VIII e 3 Hf+
against the soul
Depravity turks In the heart Of even
the true believer. It may be dethroned,
but 1t is never expelled. With what self
,shness, covetonsness. vanity. pride, envy,
hasty temper, Observation-Disclosures have We
not to contende And who has not some
sin which most easily besets him?
Above all there Is that great adversary,
seeking whom he may devour." He.
ayals himself of the world, and the fesl',i
ana our inf,rmiues, to lure the soul to
sin. This is the fable, although one Of
satan's most skilful strategems Is to
make men dlsbelleve In his existence,
Overlooked or desp!sed, foe Is already,
half victorious.
Our Captain often warns IN Ills Word,
both of tho craft and vigilance OF our
adversary, II we fail to watch and
pray, We are sure to be van1uished in
the fight
These are our enemies, But Il We
would possess the promise, we must
"overcome." 4 mere profession is of
no avail, The name on the muster roll
is not enough We must devote ourselves
entirely to this great and daily battle
There is no exception Of persons Wo-
men must fight as well as men, and
children. too must WELD the sword. The
AGED and inirnl must Keep ranks; the