Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-11-01
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aRvANrs OF GOD BRANDED.
By Rev. G. @. Wright

By Rev. C. @. Wright.
bear branded on my body the
marks Of Jesus-Gal. 6 II.
The life that Is dedicated to God
hath all its scars in Him. SO the Apos-
tie Paul counted the marks of the
lictor's rods at Pisidian Antioch, Of the
stones at Lystra, all the gashes Of per-
secutions and the infrmities resulting
from accidents and exposures endured
in duty doing as marks of jesus
glor!ed in them as the hall mark Of the
Lord.
All these brands Of cruel sufferings
encountered during his heroic career
together formed the scarlet letter OF
Christ's monogram on his final body,
because his life was dedicated to Him.
Again he declares, Il died unto law,
that l might live unto God. l have
been crucifed with Christ and 1t is no
longer | that live, but Christ liveth in
me-" Thus we may infer that all who
live in His name are His and the scars
received in this blessed servitude are
His also.
The chaplain who gave his shoes and
socks to wounded soldier and suffer
ed from frozen feet and consumption
for years afterward bore in his body
the marks of Jesus. That naval officer
who rushed into a boiler-room filled
with live steam to rescue three perish
ing men carries to-day scared on his
face and hands the label OF his LORD.
So Of all who gain their scars, dis
ease or misfortune in the blazing line
Of noble duty-they brand themselves
as His servants, His heroes.
Wounds generally come to those who
do things: they are the penalty paid
for the high privilege Of service; the
inevitable impression left from brave
endurance or the cheerful seizure of
dangerous opportunity and He whose
we are and whom we serve treasures
them as being His own superscription
which shall not fade away,
Well may I ask myself then, whose
seal Is upon me? For the deep and
rough experiences of life scar us fear
fully, both within and without.
AS the history of France may be read
in the names of the streets Of Paris,
so may the story of my life be dis
cerned in the marks it has left upon
my character and my body.
If we would forget the nightmares
Of the past and blot out the ugly seams
left by mistakes and missteps in the
days gone by, we must merge ourselves
with Him whose blood cleanseth from
all sin, whose service lifts away from
the things that are behind and leads
into the glorious agony toward 1.-THE
mark Of the prize Of the high calling
of God In Christ Jesus"
The Masters work denoted owner
ship, and so does the servant of Christ
belong to Him, and should render a
whole hearted and joyful service. But
the Master counts such marks so high
ly that the trials and hardships en-
dured in His name are esteemed to be
living death, so that ye are crucitied
with Him and are counted worthy to
and dominion Of His kingdom.
Who can withstand this challenge?
What man would draw back from His
service or fear to endure and dare and
suffer with Him? For we know that
He knoweth all, seeth all and will
claim and reward His OWL
Even cup of cool water given or a
visit to the afflicted in His name is
counted a service rendered directly to
Him.
Here, then. do we find the life which
Is true religion-that sane, patient,
honest. unfiinching life which good
men and true follow day by day in
their toll, profession, business, homes
and fellowship-in their daily walk
and conversational the quiet Of the
church and in the thick of affairs or
In the hot smoke of danger-after they
have sincerely surrendered themselves
to God
1t may not be perfect life nor a
faultlesS one, but if there is behind 1t
a submissive. trusting heart and an
aspiring faith that asks Lord, what
would'st thou have me do?" in the
burning moments of duty, obligation
and opportunity, the career is counted
for righteousness, and its cuts and
bruises and ensuing miseries are proud
trophies acclaimed in heaven.
1t matters little where be my grave
Or on the land or on the sea,
By purling brook meath stormy wave,
1t matters little or naught to me;
But whether the Angel Death comes down
And marks my brow with his loving
touch
AS one that shall wear the victor's crown
1t matters much.
TO WORRY rs WICKED.