Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-08
BANNER OF CHRIST
CHRISTIAN STANDARDS DIS
CUssED IN SUNDAY SERMON.
Rev. ]. L. Allison, DID,, Compares
Church Workers to an
Armed Host.

At Gunton-Temple Memorial Presbyterian
Church yesterday morning the pastor. Rev.
DR.. John Lee Allison, took as his text for
the sermon Isaiah, xi:10.
He said, In part: Banners and stand
ards have been regarded from time imme-
mortal the emblems of national honor
and authority. They are also used for raj
lying troops and directing their movements
on the field of battle. Standards pertained
to each of the four great divisions of the
host of Israel. distinguished by colors and
emblematic devices. The injunction was
that every man of the children of Israel
should camp by his own standard and with
the ensign of his fathers house.
"Rephidim is one of the great battlefelds
of antiquity. 1t was here that Israel pre-
vailed and discounted the Amalekites and
Moses erected a memorial altar calling 1t
Jehovah-niss!-the Lords my banner. So
the seer of the text predicts a splendid day
when the Lord shall stand for an ensign of
the people. The Lord. then, is our banner,
and as We enlist under the standard Of the
cross 1t challenges the best and noblest in
us, and for it's glory the believer should be
ready to sacrifice his all. This banner has
upon it significant inscription, Unto Him
that loved us and washed us from our own
sins in His own blood, and hath made US
kings and priests unto God and His
Father
An Armed Host.
AS church we are an armed host, wag-
ing fearful warfare and serving the Lord
under his royal banner. An army has four
uses for its ensign on it's banner-it SYM
bolzes, 1t unites. it directs and 1t in
spires. The Christian banner symboizes
the Lord and stands for great idea, as
the soft silken folds of the Star-spangled
Banner stand for this republic, and we
n lycfn w
be added to its gra ceful folds and adiance
to every star on its azure field So should
we live and serve under the blood-crim-
soned banner of the cross.
But around this els gn of the cross all
the forces of righteousness rally. There
are denominations and minor religious diff
ferences, but all Christendom today falls in
line and tribal banners are lowered when
the ensign of the people is hoisted, for one
Is your master, even Christ and all We are
brethren The one atoning Savior joins
hands and hearts in one supreme devotion
to the leader and commander Of the forces
of Righteousness. Then the banner directs
and the army follows the standards. AS
the eagles were to the Romans so Is the
banner Of Christ to His church. Where He
goes we must follow. This standard is being
lifted in the far north. the distant south
and amid the nations of the orient, and to
it the Gentiles seek.
THE standard also inspires. The history
Of nations reveals thrilling scenes where
armies fought ferociously under the spell
of undying devotion to their ensigns. They
defended unto death that which symbolized
their national glory.
ut Is said when the followers of Bruce
saw that the Saracens were about to win
the battle the casket containing the heart
of their former leader was thrown into the
ranks Of the enemy. Then one shout went
UP, The heart OF Bruce! At this they
rushed into the fight, regained the golden
casket and routed the enemy. What a
mighty inspiration to fight beneath the
banner of the crossl 1t commands our con-
fidence courage and sublime energy that it
may wave over every land"