Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-10-16

THE CALL OF THE HEROIC.

good soldier of Jesus Christ."-1I.
Tim, H., 3.
1t is hardship and not ease that at
tracts men. Those who have the capac-
ity for greatness crave great things to
do and they are willing to bear the
pains and privations involved in such
deeds. Commonly we make the mis-
take Of urging men to religion because
it is so easy and helpful; we need
rather to offer the motive of its cost
and hardships.
There is little hope for any man who
does not respond to the call Of the
heroic. We may have lost the youths
enthusiasm for deeds Of daring, and we
may now be willing to wear slippers
instead Of high boots. But something
essential to full living has died within
us il our blood does not flow faster at
the thought Of great sacrifices and if we
do not feel the impulse and desire to
have our share in them.
The hope Of any race is that it will
go on worshfping its worthy heroes.
Christianity has been most valuable to
the world and most vital within itself
III the measure that it has been a re-
ligion of hero worship. It has been the
glowing enthusiasm of it's people for
the person and the glorious, sacrifcial
life of Christ that has counteracted the
Geld and sterile aspects of it's philoso-
phies.
The theology of Christianity has
tended rather to invite towards to it's
ranks; it has said to men, if you are
afraid of hell believe these statements
aid you will have nothing more to fear.
But the fact of Jesus of Nazareth has
been mightier than the PHILOSOPHERS and
men who either abhorred such facti-
tious forms of righteousness or failed
to understand any of the philosophy
have been swayed by admiration for his
life
Churches ought to be groups of peo-
pie who have caught the vision Of the
great and costly service that the world
needs They are Christian only in the
measure that they have accepted the
Christ mission. They are to be judged
not by their power to gain wealth, to
beautify their structures, or to indulge
in luxurious fittings, but by the sac
rificial service they are rendering So
ciety.
AS long as religion is hiding place
from the deserts of wrongdoing, as long
as it invites men with promises Of ease,
nf hoo von1v on1 psth1v II
will attract only the weaklings. When
it shall stand and say to me. Here is
a great work to be done, here are tasks
that will cost us dearly" the strong
will flock to it's banner.
The call to the Christian life is a call
to the heroic; it is the imperative of
the heavenly vision. 1t bids men do
hard things, follow their own highest
hopes and fairest ideals. 1t says to
the least Of men, Set out to save
the world. 1t bids men lay down their
lives
1t is no easy thing to live the life that
sets the soul above the Sod to fight con-
stantly this battle, without the least
respite, against the sloth and selfshness
of our natures. 1t is hard to resist the
temptations to compromise with our
own ideals, to snatch the prizes offered
for some slight violation of conscience.
1t calls for fortitude to stand for
things that are high, to be willing to be
called fool for some deed of faith. to
choose the unfading prizes of honor and
rs~r1o4 r,4p1
Cling for the prizes that perish.
It calls for courage to do the Christly
kind of service in this world. Living
for men is not matter of soft senti-
ment; serving the needy is something
Steiner than scattering a few teardrops
over the slums. No man can take the
part Of the oppressed without making
an enemy of the oppressor. If you are
afraid of a sword you had better not
enter His service.
The cross his followers must bear
is real one, not of signs or sentiments.
but of the hatred and opposition of
those who have been used to fatten by
wrong while the servants of the right
stood complacently by. It is the cross
OF being counted fool because you
choose the right before revenue, the
good of others before your own.
The world wants men who will
suffer more than it wants those who
can succeed it needs those who are not
afraid to fail or to lose, if only they
may serve the right; it needs those
who will endure hardness for the things
they count highest and most worth
while. Ard all such ever will find the
stay and inspiration Of their living in
the great hero of Nazareth.
INSPIRATION IN PAUL'S LIFE.
By Rev. Henry Mottet
I bear in my body the marks of the